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What Is A Root Kit
A rootkit is a collection of tools (programs) that
enable administrator-level access to a computer or computer network.
Typically, a hacker installs a rootkit
on a computer after first obtaining user-level access, either by
exploiting a known vulnerability or cracking a password. Once the
rootkit is installed, it allows the attacker to mask intrusion and
gain
A rootkit may consist of spyware and other programs that: monitor traffic and keystrokes; create a "backdoor" into the system for the hacker's use; alter log files; attack other machines on the network; and alter existing system tools to escape detection.
Rootkits have become more common and their sources more surprising. In late October of 2005, security expert Mark Russinovich of Sysinternals discovered that he had a rootkit on his own computer that had been installed as part of the digital rights management (DRM) component on a Sony audio CD. Experts worry that the practice may be more widespread than the public suspects and that attackers could exploit existing rootkits. "This creates opportunities for virus writers," said Mikko Hypponen, director of AV research for Finnish firm F-Secure Corp. "These rootkits can be exploited by any malware, and when it's used this way, it's harder for firms like ours to distinguish the malicious from the legitimate."
A number of vendors, including Microsoft, F-Secure, and Sysinternals, offer applications that can detect the presence of rootkits. If a rootkit is detected, however, the only sure way to get rid of it is to completely erase the computer's hard drive and reinstall the operating system.
OK, so let us agree that Windows rootkits are hugely problematical, the reason being that an IT administrator -- or anyone else, for that matter -- cannot see them. They install by stealth and remain stealthed. A well-written rootkit can hide files and folders, system processes, registry entries, services, network connections and even pages of memory.
Rootkits themselves, of course, are not dangerous; it is the malware that they hide that does the damage. But the nature of rootkits is such that they can prevent detection of that malicious application. Even the most stringent security policies are useless against this kind of malware.
Think of it like this: Antivirus cannot protect
against what it cannot see. Therefore it is important to ensure that
security software can prevent rootkits from installing in the first
place
(or detect and remove them if already installed).
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Did You Know...
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