What Exactly Is a Rootkit, and How Can You Avoid It?

The majority of users are aware of typical risks like as viruses, worms, spyware, and even phishing schemes. When you mention a rootkit, many computer users may believe you're talking about a horticulture tool to nourish your flowers or kill the weeds. So, what exactly is a rootkit?

What Exactly Is a Rootkit?

The name "rootkit" is made up of two words: "root" and "kit." On Unix and Linux systems, root refers to the all-powerful "Administrator" account, while kit refers to a collection of applications or tools that allow someone to keep root-level access to a computer.

However, one other aspect of a rootkit, beyond maintaining root-level access, is that its presence should be undetectable.

Why Use a Rootkit?

It allows someone, either legitimate or malicious, to maintain command and control over a computer system, without the computer system user knowing about it. This means that the owner of the rootkit is capable of executing files and changing system configurations on the target machine, as well as accessing log files or monitoring activity to covertly spy on the user’s computer usage.

Is a rootkit malicious software?

That is questionable. Rootkits can be used legitimately by law enforcement or by parents or employers who want to maintain remote command and control and/or the ability to monitor activities on their employees' or children's computer systems. Such surveillance is possible with commercial tools that are essentially rootkits.

However, the majority of the media coverage of rootkits is on malevolent or unlawful rootkits used by attackers or spies to penetrate and monitor systems. However, while a rootkit may be put on a system through the use of a virus or Trojan, the rootkit itself is not malware.

Identifying a Rootkit

It is easier said than done to detect a rootkit on your machine. There are different methods for scanning memory or file system regions or looking for rootkit hooks into the system, but few of them are automated programs, and those that are frequently specialize on identifying and uninstalling a specific rootkit. Another approach is to just search for unusual or unexpected behavior on the computer system. If you see anything unusual, you may be infected with a rootkit.

Finally, many security experts recommend a full rebuild of a system that has been hacked by a rootkit or is suspected of being penetrated by a rootkit.

The reason for this is that even if you find files or processes connected with the rootkit, it is difficult to be certain that you have completely eradicated the rootkit. By totally deleting the system and starting again, you can find peace of mind.

Rootkit Protection for Your System and Data:

As previously stated, there is no program that can identify and protect against 100% of all rootkits. It was also emphasized above that rootkits, while occasionally utilized for malevolent reasons, are not always malware.

Many dangerous rootkits enter computer systems and install themselves by spreading alongside a malware threat such as a virus. You can protect your system from rootkits by keeping it patched against known vulnerabilities, keeping antivirus software up to date and operating, and not accepting or opening email file attachments from unknown sources.

You should also exercise caution when installing software and read carefully before consenting to EULAs (end user license agreements), since some may expressly declare that a rootkit of some kind will be installed.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

by:cryptoanonymous

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