While the phrase rootkit may sound like a mathematical formula or gardening equipment, it is neither. A rootkit can be highly hazardous to the sensitive information on your device and is typically used by hackers. In computing jargon, rootkits are malware that allows a threat actor to take control of your computer without your knowledge or agreement. So your first thought might be, how do you detect and prevent this? In this article, we have all the information required on Rootkit and how you can detect and prevent it.
What is Rootkit?
The words “root” and “kit” are combined to form the term “rootkit.” Any of the terms “root,” “admin,” “superuser,” or “system admin” can refer to a user account with an operating system administrator status. A “kit” is a collection of software tools, on the other hand. Thus, a rootkit is a collection of technologies that grants system users the maximum rights.
Because rootkits are meant to remain undetected on your device, they pose a particular threat. Once a threat actor has installed a rootkit on your computer, usually through a phishing email, they can take control of it remotely. Rootkits allow for root-level access, which can be used to carry out malicious operations on the device, such as turning off antivirus software, monitoring your online activities, stealing confidential information, and more.
Is Rootkit a Virus?
Despite what the general public believes, a rootkit is malware rather than a virus. That may sound complicated. Malware comes in many forms, and a virus is merely one kind that corrupts data; a rootkit is much more sophisticated. Fortunately, modern antivirus software, which makes use of cutting-edge security techniques like behavioral heuristics, can remove various types of malware. These methods can remove ransomware, Trojan horses, rootkits, viruses, and worms.
How a Rootkit is Removed
Removing a rootkit is difficult. Rootkits can be challenging to detect because they can hide themselves well within your operating system. However, after identifying one, removing the rootkit infection from your zombie PC is imperative.
#1. Use Software to Remove Rootkits
Since most rootkits may bypass the most basic security measures, don’t rely on Windows Defender or other built-in security software. Take advantage of specialized software such as Avast One for total protection. Avast is a lightweight tool that can detect and remove rootkits and defend against various internet dangers by combining the largest threat-detection network in the world with machine-learning malware protection.
#2. Run a Boot-Time Inspection
Modern malware employs sophisticated techniques to avoid detection by antivirus software. Rootkits can outwit automatic antivirus scans on a device after the operating system is operational.
The rootkit can alter information flow and open a safe file instead of a malicious one when an antivirus program requests that the operating system open a specific malware file. They can also alter a malware file’s enumeration code, which stores and distributes malware-related data and keeps the file from showing up in a scan.
For this reason, having a boot-time scan, such as the one included in Avast One, is very helpful. Boot-time scans find rootkits before they have a chance to do any damage by running when your machine is starting up. A boot-time scan has the advantage of typically finding rootkits while they are dormant and unable to hide within your system.
#3. Reinstall the OS and Wipe the Device
If the rootkit cannot be eliminated by antivirus software or a boot-time scan, consider creating a backup of your data, erasing your device, and installing fresh. When a rootkit is active at the boot, firmware, or hypervisor levels, this is occasionally the only solution available.
You must first learn how to format and clone a hard disk to back up your crucial files. The majority of your data is still recoverable. However, you may need to erase the primary C drive. This is the final option for getting rid of a rootkit.
Why Rootkits Are So Dangerous
#1. They are cunning
Deceptive attack vectors like spam emails, exploit kits, and malicious downloads can propagate rootkit infestations. Certain rootkits even depend on Trojans, such as the Perkiler malware, to compromise the security of a system.
#2. They are Stealthy
Unlike other infections, a thoroughly hidden rootkit won’t show many signs. It might even get past your security software, making fixing it difficult. Reinstalling your operating system and formatting your storage drive are the only ways to get rid of some rootkits.
#3. They are Capable
The fact that rootkits are multifunctional malware has led some experts to refer to them as the Swiss Army Knives of malware. Specific rootkit tools can log keystrokes, deactivate security protocols, steal financial information and login passwords, and more. A hacker may use additional rootkits to open a backdoor into a system and install other malware. A hacker can create a botnet from a system using the appropriate rootkit, which can then launch DDoS (Distributed-Denial-of-Service) attacks against websites.
Types of Rootkit
#1. Bootloader Rootkit
A computer’s bootloader loads the operating system when you turn it on. This system is compromised by a bootloader rootkit, allowing malware to infect your machine before the operating system is ready. These days, security features like Secure boot make bootloader rootkits less of a threat.
#2. Firmware Rootkits
Software known as firmware gives essential control over the hardware that it is designed for. Firmware can be found in many products, including washing machines and cell phones. Because a firmware rootkit hides there, it is difficult to detect using cybersecurity tools because malware is typically overlooked.
#3. Kernels Rootkits
The kernel of your operating system functions similarly to its nervous system. It is an important layer that supports vital processes. Because a kernel rootkit targets an essential computer component and provides a threat actor with substantial system control, it has the potential to be disastrous.
#4. Memory Rootkits
Memory rootkits are malicious programs that run in your computer’s RAM, slowing it down. Restarting your laptop usually removes memory rootkits since it purges the memory of all running programs.
#5. Application Rootkit
Every time you run infected files on your computer, the program rootkit’s creator gains access to it because it has altered your ordinary files with rootkit code. However, because files containing these rootkits can act strangely, it is simpler to identify this kind of infection. Furthermore, there’s a greater likelihood that your security tools will recognize them.
How to Prevent Your Machine from Being Infected by Rootkit Malware
It is imperative to take proactive measures to safeguard your devices from malware, with rootkit malware posing a dangerous threat. Here are some precautions you may take based on our Malwarebytes Labs post on how to avoid a rootkit attack on your PC or mobile device:
#1. Scan Your Systems
To consistently check for threats on your devices, use an advanced threat scanner like the one in Malwarebytes Premium. Even more detailed instructions on rootkit detection are provided in our post, but running malware scans regularly is a brilliant place to start.
#2. Avoid Falling for Phishing Schemes
Take caution when clicking and downloading anything. Phishing attempts via email have become increasingly sophisticated, and they may closely resemble honest communication from a company or someone you trust, such as your bank or preferred retailer. To ensure an email is authentic, always verify the sender’s email address (for example, a PayPal email originates from paypal.com). If you suspect an email could be a phishing effort, you can forward it to the supposed sender so they can investigate. Links that you get over text messages from unidentified numbers should also be avoided.
#3. Update Your Program
Although software makers send out updates for valid reasons, occasionally, they arrive when you’re not expecting them, and you’re in the middle of something else. Updates frequently contain security fixes for bugs the developer discovered, so you should install them as soon as possible. It’s advisable to update your software as soon as you receive a notification telling you to.
Employ cutting-edge malware/antivirus software: Malwarebytes Premium, an advanced antivirus and anti-malware program, uses various techniques to identify and prevent threats from infecting your devices. This is a crucial step in defending against different malware kinds and threats.
What is a rootkit vs Trojan?
Often, trojans grant their victims restricted access; for example, they might let their attackers examine private information but not execute commands as administrator users. On the other hand, rootkits grant full administrator-level access.
Are rootkits still used?
Even though contemporary operating systems have introduced security against rootkits, they are still successfully utilized in assaults. To prepare this report, we examined the 16 most well-known rootkit families that specialists have found throughout the last ten years.
How do I know if I have a rootkit virus?
There are several methods for searching an infected PC for a rootkit. Examples of detection techniques are behavioral-based techniques (such as monitoring a computer system for unusual activity), memory dump analysis, and signature scanning. Rebuilding the infected system from scratch is frequently the only way to eliminate a rootkit.
How does a rootkit get installed?
When people open spam emails and unintentionally download harmful software, rootkits can infiltrate systems. Keyloggers are another tool used by rootkits to obtain user login credentials. Once installed, a rootkit can provide hackers access to private user data and even take over computer operating systems—rootkit attacks on applications.
Is it hard to detect a rootkit?
Identifying if a machine has a rootkit might be challenging because this type of malware is made specifically to remain hidden. To make matters more complex, rootkits can render security software inoperable. Therefore, rootkit malware may do severe harm and stay on your machine for long.
Can anti-malware software remove a rootkit?
After you approve, Malwarebytes will remove rootkits and other dangers to protect your files, device, and privacy.
Conclusion
Because rootkits are meant to remain undetected on your device, they pose a particular threat. Once a threat actor has installed a rootkit on your computer, usually through a phishing email, they can take control of it remotely. Rootkits allow for root-level access, which can be used to carry out malicious operations on the device, such as turning off antivirus software, monitoring your online activities, stealing confidential information, and more.
References
