Computer Protection: Backdoors

Making life easier for the typical intruder...

Backdoors are by far the most effective way to regain entry to a system that intruders have already compromised. They allow intruders to easily connect to a computer by evading such security measures as account password protection, firewalls and sometimes even intrusion detection systems, which act like a security system for a house (they alert you when unauthorized activity/entrances/etc. are occurring so that you can take the appropriate actions).

So, what is a backdoor anyways? Well, consider it like a backdoor on your house: it gives intruders a less-detectable avenue of breaking into your house versus just entering right through the front door. In short, backdoors allow intruders to effortlessly gain access to your computer.

Well, if that's the case, then how do backdoors get set up on your computer? Good question. Backdoors get set up on your computer by attaching themselves to things called "ports". Simply put, ports are the things that allow you to communicate with everything the Internet has to offer. Believe it or not, your computer actually has over 65,000 ports it can use for communications on the Internet! So, all an intruder has to do is set up a backdoor (called a "server") on your computer and have it "listen" for incoming connections on the desired port. Once the intruder wants back into your computer, all they have to do is use something called a "client" to tell the "server" backdoor that they are coming in. The "server" then welcomes them back into your computer, evading any security features you may have.

Backdoors can be a nuisance to spot on your computer unless you know what to look for. But, since a lot of backdoors fall into the category of viruses, worms and Trojans, anti-virus software is constantly identifying new backdoors that can be removed from your system.

To prevent and detect backdoors on your system, do the following:

• Keep your computer up-to-date with the latest patches: While backdoors usually focus on the port, the application that supports it may try to take advantage of security holes. Patches seal up these security holes, so it's in your best interest to keep up with the most recent patches available. Not sure if you have the most up-to-date patches? Have a look at Microsoft's website and click on the Microsoft Update link on the left-hand menu. You also have the option of having critical patches automatically update your machine when available. To set this option, do the following:
  • Click Start, then My Computer
  • Under the Other Places menu to the left, click Control Panel
  • If you are in Category View, click Security Center and click on the Automatic Updates section at the bottom of the new window that opened. In the new window that opened, make sure the Automatic (recommended) is selected.
  • If you are in Classic View, click System. When the new window opens, click the Automatic Updates tab and make sure the Automatic (recommended) is selected.
• Have anti-virus software installed with up-to-date virus definitions: Having anti-virus software with the most up-to-date virus definitions is one of your best defenses against backdoors. Not only that, but it's a fact that anti-virus software is pretty much useless if you don't keep its virus definitions up-to-date. Have a look at the Checklist section for more information about anti-virus software.
• Use extreme caution when opening attachments in emails and downloading programs off of the Internet: This is probably the most common avenue that Trojans and backdoors take advantage of. Always use anti-virus tools to scan emails attachments for Trojans. Even if the email looks like it came from someone you know, it never hurts to scan it.

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