Trojan horse
Infiltration by disguise
A Trojan horse is a deceptive stratagem—something that appears benign or beneficial but conceals a hidden threat.
The phrase comes from the giant wooden horse Greek soldiers hid inside to infiltrate Troy.
In computing, a Trojan horse (or simply Trojan) is malware disguised as legitimate software: The free download was actually a Trojan horse that stole passwords.
Concealed threat appearing innocent
- fifth columnInternal subversives aiding outsiders
- insider threatDanger from within organization
- saboteurOne who deliberately undermines
- moleSubterranean insectivore
double agent · sleeper agent · subversion · undermining · betrayal · infiltrator · false friend · two-faced
Microscopic infectious agent
- backdoorHidden bypass mechanism
- payloadCarried freight or charge
- spywareHidden surveillance program
- rootkitHidden unauthorized access software
keylogger · botnet · worm · phishing · ransomware · exploit · infection · cybersecurity
wolf in sheep's clothing
Concealed threat appearing innocent
- fifth columnInternal subversives aiding outsiders
- insider threatDanger from within organization
- saboteurOne who deliberately undermines
mole · double agent · sleeper agent · subversion · undermining · betrayal · infiltrator · false friend · two-faced · planted
virus
Microscopic infectious agent
rootkit · keylogger · botnet · worm · phishing · ransomware · exploit · infection · cybersecurity · antivirus
deception
Intentional misleading of others
- ruseDeliberate act of deception
- ployCalculated deceptive tactic
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
guile · trickery · cunning · infiltration · decoy · feint · gambit · artifice · disguise · covert
Homer
Ancient Greek epic composer
Paris · Priam · Hector · Achilles · Agamemnon · Cassandra · Aeneas · Patroclus · Greek epic · siege
- Mythological WordsAchilles heel, Adonis, aegis, ambrosia, Apollo
- Horse Idiomsworkhorse, one-trick pony, pony up
- Historical AllusionsAchilles heel, Pyrrhic victory, crossing the Rubicon, Pandora's box, sword of Damocles
- historical anecdotesGordian knot, Lady Godiva
- literary allusionsclassical references, Greek myths, Roman myths, biblical references, Eden
- Greek & RomanAchilles heel, Pandora's box, Midas touch, Odyssey, Sisyphean
Trojan horseopen book
One easily understood
what you see is what you get · cards on the table · full disclosure · plain dealing · candor
Trojan horseshield
Handheld defensive armor
firewall · safeguard · guardian · protective barrier · sentinel
Trojan horsefortress
Heavily defended military structure
citadel · stronghold · bulwark · bastion · defensive wall
horse, harness, horses, horseshoe, horseback, horseplay, horseman, horsepower, equestrian