What is a Backdoor?

Backdoor

A backdoor is a hidden method for bypassing standard authentication or security controls in a software application, network, or system.

Backdoors can be intentionally built into software for maintenance purposes or created maliciously by attackers to retain access to a compromised system.

Once a backdoor is established, an attacker can re-enter the system at will without being detected by traditional security measures. Removing backdoors is a critical step during incident response and post-breach cleanup.