Backdoor is a term used to describe a method of circumventing normal authentication or security measures in a computer system, computer program, or firmware. A backdoor can be used to gain access to a computer system or encrypted data, and is often used in malicious software (malware) attacks.

In computer security, a backdoor is an exploit or feature that allows an adversary to gain access, usually secretly or surreptitiously, to a computer system, network, application, or other type of computing resource. A backdoor may be implemented deliberately through an undocumented feature that establishes a secret means to gain control of the system, or it might be created inadvertently through a programming mistake.

Backdoors can be designed to be relatively easy for the user to access, or they can require sophisticated coding techniques in order to gain access. Once installed, a backdoor can be used by any person with knowledge of the backdoor’s existence to bypass normal authentication, as well as access information that should not be accessible. It is important to note that defenders of computer systems are often the ones who discover backdoors, which they then attempt to mitigate or protect against.

Backdoors can be created for a variety of reasons. For example, they can be used to debug a system once it is already live, or they could be included in malicious software to enable the attacker to gain access to the system remotely via the backdoor.

Backdoors can be very difficult to detect, as they are usually hidden–either deliberately by the attacker or as an unintended consequence of the software bug. To protect against backdoors, companies can use a variety of tactics such as vulnerability scanning, periodic patching, and security monitoring. Furthermore, organizations should only use trusted software vendors when selecting third-party software products.

Backdoor is a term used to describe a method of circumventing normal authentication or security measures in a computer system, computer program, or firmware. A backdoor can be used to gain access to a computer system or encrypted data, and is often used in malicious software (malware) attacks.

In computer security, a backdoor is an exploit or feature that allows an adversary to gain access, usually secretly or surreptitiously, to a computer system, network, application, or other type of computing resource. A backdoor may be implemented deliberately through an undocumented feature that establishes a secret means to gain control of the system, or it might be created inadvertently through a programming mistake.

Backdoors can be designed to be relatively easy for the user to access, or they can require sophisticated coding techniques in order to gain access. Once installed, a backdoor can be used by any person with knowledge of the backdoor’s existence to bypass normal authentication, as well as access information that should not be accessible. It is important to note that defenders of computer systems are often the ones who discover backdoors, which they then attempt to mitigate or protect against.

Backdoors can be created for a variety of reasons. For example, they can be used to debug a system once it is already live, or they could be included in malicious software to enable the attacker to gain access to the system remotely via the backdoor.

Backdoors can be very difficult to detect, as they are usually hidden–either deliberately by the attacker or as an unintended consequence of the software bug. To protect against backdoors, companies can use a variety of tactics such as vulnerability scanning, periodic patching, and security monitoring. Furthermore, organizations should only use trusted software vendors when selecting third-party software products.