Which of the following is the MOST ACCURATE definition of a Trojan horse?

A Trojan horse is best defined as a program or command procedure that appears useful but contains hidden code that causes damage. This definition accurately captures the essence of what a Trojan horse represents in the realm of cybersecurity. Essentially, Trojans masquerade as legitimate software, tricking users into downloading or executing them. Once activated, these programs can perform harmful actions without the user's awareness, such as stealing sensitive information, installing additional malware, or compromising system integrity.

By emphasizing the deceptive aspect—being useful or benign in appearance while containing harmful elements—it underscores the importance of caution with software and the need for robust cybersecurity measures. This distinctive characteristic differentiates Trojans from other types of malware, such as spyware, which primarily focuses on collecting data without causing direct harm or disruptive actions.

The other definitions provided, while related to malware, do not encapsulate the unique functionality and strategy of a Trojan horse. This specific focus on the dual nature of use and hidden threat is crucial for recognizing and defending against these types of security risks.