Palo Alto Networks (PANW) Certified Cybersecurity Entry-level Technician (PCCET) Practice Exam

What is the term for an unauthorized remote access program?

1. Logic bomb

2. Backdoor

3. Virus

4. Trojan horse

The correct answer is: Backdoor

The correct term for an unauthorized remote access program is a backdoor. A backdoor is a method of bypassing normal authentication processes, allowing an attacker to gain access to a system without the standard security checks or credentials that are typically required. This can happen through software or hardware vulnerabilities, or it can be intentionally left by a developer for administrative purposes. The unauthorized aspect implies that this access is not sanctioned or known by the system’s owner or administrator. In contrast, a logic bomb is a piece of malicious code that executes when certain conditions are met, often causing harm or disruption. A virus is a type of malware that attaches itself to a program and replicates itself to spread to other programs and systems, needing user action to activate. A Trojan horse masquerades as legitimate software to trick users into installing it, but it doesn’t normally provide the same level of remote access as a backdoor does. Understanding these distinctions is critical in the field of cybersecurity as it helps professionals identify and mitigate different types of threats.