The Definition, Types, Application & Removal Guide of Rootkit

What Is a Rootkit

The rootkit refers to a collection of computer software (usually malicious).

Based on that, you will obtain more information about rootkit fromMiniTool.

It is also written as root kit.

As the rootkit is associated with malware, it has negative meaning.

All these tools can put your machine in danger.

you’re free to also call it rootkit virus.

Whats worse, your credit card and online banking information can be stolen by hackers.

There are 5 types of rootkit.

All of them will be listed in below.

The rootkit usually is installed on a small memory chip in motherboard.

It can infect the hard drive of your system or its system BIOS and even the router.

With this bang out of rootkit, hackers can intercept the data that is written on the disk.

While a bootloader rootkit can attack the operating system and replace the legitimate bootloader with the hacked one.

Memory rootkit

The memory rootkit often hides in your PCsRAM.

These rootkits will do some harmful activities in the background.

Fortunately, they have a very short lifespan and only appear in the RAM.

They will disappear when you start your system.

However, you better do more work to get rid of them sometimes.

program rootkit

program rootkits can replace the standard files with rootkit files.

Besides, they may change the work ways of standard applications too.

They can infect programs like Word, Paint and Notepad.

Once you run these programs, hackers have an opportunity to access to your PC.

Kernel mode rootkit

The kernel mode rootkits have impacts on the core of your computers OS.

Hackers will make use of these rootkits to affect the running of your operating system.

However, it also can be applied to do some useful and beneficial things.

Here are some instances for that.

Since rootkits stay hidden and act in the background, detecting them can be hard.

Here comes the need of some utilities like signatures and behavioral approach.

With these utilities, you could find out known and unknown rootkit in your box.

Removing rootkit is a complicated process and usually requires specialized tools such asTDSSKiller,Comodo Advanced Endpoint Protection.

Sometimes, you need toreinstall operating systemif your rig is damaged seriously.