21st Century Learning and Teaching

Once installed, the “remote administration tool” (RAT) software allows hackers to take control of the machine at any time – similar to how IT workers fix office computers remotely.

 

Hackers can then use a victim’s home computers as if sitting at it – doing everything from switching on the webcam to looking through personal files on the hard drive.

 

Mr Neate said: “The most at-risk computers are those running older software, and those without up-to-date anti-virus software installed.”