Hacker Lexicon: What Is a Backdoor?

A backdoor has multiple meanings. It can refer to a legitimate point of access embedded in a system or software program for remote administration. Generally this kind of backdoor is undocumented and is used for the maintenance and upkeep of software or a system. Some administrative backdoors are protected with a hardcoded username and password that cannot be changed; though some use credentials that can be altered. Often, the backdoor’s existence is unknown to the system owner and is known only to the software maker. Built-in administrative backdoors create a vulnerability in the software or system that intruders can use to gain access to a system or data. MORE