True or False: Trojan horses are designed to appear as legitimate applications.

Trojan horses are indeed designed to appear as legitimate applications, which is a key characteristic that differentiates them from other types of malware. By masquerading as valid software, they entice users to download and execute them, believing they are safe. This deceptive approach allows them to bypass security measures and gain access to the victim's system, where they can perform harmful activities such as stealing information, installing additional malware, or giving an attacker control over the system.

The essence of a Trojan is its ability to trick users into trusting it. Unlike viruses and worms, which can replicate and spread on their own, Trojans rely on user interaction to propagate, making their disguise as legitimate applications critical to their success. Understanding this concept is vital in recognizing the importance of vigilance and skepticism when downloading software from the internet or interacting with unfamiliar programs.