What is a RAT? A Complete Overview of Remote Access Trojans In the complex world of cybersecurity, a new vocabulary is constantly emerging. While terms like "virus" and "phishing" are widely known, a more insidious threat lurks in the digital shadows: the Remote Access Trojan, or RAT. These sophisticated pieces of malware are a favorite tool for hackers and cybercriminals because they provide the ultimate prize: complete, undetected control over a victim's device.