die Hintertür
back door
A second entrance or exit, usually located at the back of a building.
EXAMPLE
Die Lieferanten benutzen immer die Hintertür.
The delivery people always use the back door.
die Hintertür
back door / backdoor
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Meanings
durch die Hintertür
through the back door
To achieve a goal in an unofficial, indirect, or not entirely honest way.
EXAMPLE
Er hat die Stelle nur durch die Hintertür bekommen, weil sein Onkel der Chef ist.
He only got the position through the back door because his uncle is the boss.
die Hintertür
backdoor
In IT, a secret access point to a computer system that bypasses the normal security mechanisms.
EXAMPLE
Der Virus installierte eine Hintertür auf dem Server, um Daten zu stehlen.
The virus installed a backdoor on the server in order to steal data.
Usage tips
Compound word
The word 'Hintertür' (back door) is a simple compound made from the preposition 'hinter' (behind) and the noun 'die Tür' (the door). So it literally means 'the door that is located at the back.'
EXAMPLE
Wir haben den Müll durch die Hintertür nach draußen gebracht.
We took the trash outside through the back door.
Fixed expression
The figurative meaning is used almost exclusively in the fixed expression 'durch die Hintertür' (through the back door). This idiom describes how someone achieves something by unofficial, indirect, or unfair means.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat versucht, die neuen Regeln durch die Hintertür einzuführen.
She tried to introduce the new rules through the back door.
Context: IT security
In the field of information technology, 'Hintertür' (backdoor) is a technical term. It refers to secret access to a computer system that bypasses normal security checks. The context here is always technology, software, or cybersecurity.
EXAMPLE
Hacker nutzen oft eine Hintertür, um unbemerkt auf Systeme zuzugreifen.
Hackers often use a backdoor to access systems unnoticed.
In real life
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