Trojan
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Trojan
A computer program that is disguised as a useful application but runs harmful functions in the background, such as stealing data or giving an attacker access to the system.
Er hat sich beim Herunterladen einer Software einen Trojaner eingefangen, der nun seine Passwörter ausspäht.
He picked up a Trojan while downloading software, and it is now spying on his passwords.
Trojan
An inhabitant of the ancient city of Troy, known from Greek mythology.
Laut der Sage versteckten sich die Griechen in einem hölzernen Pferd, um die Stadt der Trojaner zu erobern.
According to the legend, the Greeks hid in a wooden horse in order to conquer the city of the Trojans.
The computer meaning is a metaphor based on the Greek legend of the Trojan War. Just like the Trojan Horse, which was disguised as a gift but hid soldiers, a computer Trojan disguises itself as a useful program in order to cause damage.
Die Geschichte des Trojanischen Pferdes erklärt die Namensgebung für die Schadsoftware.
The story of the Trojan Horse explains the naming of the malware.
The two meanings can be distinguished very easily by context. If it is about computers, software, or the internet, the harmful program is always meant. If it is about history, antiquity, or mythology, the inhabitants of Troy are meant.
Mein Antivirenprogramm hat einen Trojaner auf meinem Laptop gefunden.
My antivirus program found a Trojan on my laptop.
In the computer context, there are fixed expressions. You can 'sich einen Trojaner einfangen' (pick up/get infected with a Trojan), a program can 'einen Trojaner enthalten' (contain a Trojan), or you have to 'seinen Computer vor Trojanern schützen' (protect your computer from Trojans).
Sei vorsichtig mit E-Mail-Anhängen, damit du dir keinen Trojaner einfängst.
Be careful with email attachments so that you don't pick up a Trojan.
virus
Virus and Trojaner can both damage a computer. A Virus typically spreads itself, whereas a Trojaner is disguised as a useful application and performs harmful functions in the background. Use Virus to emphasize independent spreading and Trojaner to emphasize disguise.
Der Trojaner sah wie ein nützliches Programm aus, stahl aber im Hintergrund persönliche Daten.
The Trojan looked like a useful program but stole personal data in the background.
Das Virus verbreitete sich selbstständig und beschädigte mehrere Dateien auf dem Computer.
The virus spread independently and damaged several files on the computer.
