Which type of malware disguises itself as legitimate software?

The type of malware that disguises itself as legitimate software is a Trojan. Trojans are named after the famous Trojan Horse from Greek mythology, which concealed soldiers within a seemingly harmless gift. Similarly, a Trojan appears to be a benign application or program, tricking users into downloading and executing it, often with the illusion of providing useful functions or features.

Once activated, a Trojan can perform malicious actions without the user's knowledge, such as stealing data, installing additional malware, or creating backdoors for remote access. This deceptive nature is what distinguishes Trojans from other types of malware, such as worms, viruses, and spyware, which do not primarily rely on disguise but rather on propagation or surveillance techniques. Therefore, understanding the nature of Trojans as deceptive software is crucial for recognizing the risks they pose and implementing appropriate security measures.