A backdoor is a type of cybersecurity threat that allows attackers to secretly compromise a system and conduct malicious activities, such as stealing data and modifying files. Backdoors can be difficult to detect, as they often use legitimate system applications to evade defense mechanisms. Threat actors often utilize special malware, such as PlugX, to establish backdoors on target devices.

A keylogger is a type of spyware that infects a system and has the ability to record every keystroke made on the device. This lets attackers collect personal information of victims, which may include their online banking credentials, as well as personal conversations. The most widespread vector of attack leading to a keylogger infection begins with a phishing email or link. Keylogging is also often present in remote access trojans as part of an extended set of malicious tools.

XRed operates as a stealthy backdoor, enabling cybercriminals to gain unauthorized remote access to infected systems. XRed has gained particular notoriety for its distribution through trojanized legitimate software and hardware drivers, making it exceptionally dangerous due to its ability to masquerade as trusted applications.