Hacktools are used to infiltrate a computer and allow a remote user to access the compromised system. A hacktool may be composed of different programs and scripts. Various hacktools have rootkit characteristics allowing the malware to hide or evade detection. Hacktool programs are deliberately executed by a person, or persons, intending to utilize a compromised computer for malicious purposes.
Usually the person using a hacktool has a high degree of technical skill sets that may allow him/her to develop exploits to initiate specific attacks against networks or a targeted system. Theft of data stored on a system plagued with a hacktool commonly occurs.