What Is a Rootkit? How Can You Remove It from A Computer?

You've probably heard of it many times and want to know what a rootkit is and how you can protect yourself. A rootkit is one of the most dangerous forms of malware, so we are going to give you all the information you need to keep your computers safe.

Definition of Rootkit

Rootkits are forms of malware that have the ability to access and hide in particularly sensitive areas of the devices they infect, even in areas that are not normally accessible to users. Once a rootkit accesses these areas, it can take over the entire system and make it easy to control remotely.

Is Rootkit a Virus?

It can be interpreted as a virus, in that, it is malicious software that has the ability to infect a computer and replicate itself to continue infecting other computers. However, the level of sophistication of a rootkit goes far beyond that of common viruses. In addition, a rootkit is often designed to remain dormant for a long time on infected computers, until it needs to be used for its intended purpose by the hacker who designed it.

What Is a Rootkit For?

Hackers use rootkits for various purposes:

Infect Your Computer with Malware

Rootkits can serve as gateways for all types of malware, depending on what the hacker needs at any given time.

Access Your Personal Information

Through a rootkit you can access personal data, passwords, credit card numbers and many other sensitive data.

Initiate DDoS Attacks

Your infected computer can be used to massively attack other computers and collapse certain websites that may be the true target of the hacker.

Rootkit Classes

There are many different kinds of rootkits. These are some of the most important.

Kernel Mode Rootkits

It is one of the most dangerous. The kernel level is the central level of the operating system. The rootkits that settle here are very difficult to combat.

User Mode Rootkits

They operate at the software level and are easier to detect and remove.

Bootkits

They infect the boot sector of the hard disk, so neither the operating system nor the antivirus have a chance to remove them.

Firmware Rootkits

They are installed in peripheral hardware such as routers, mice, printers, etc. From there they are able to control the equipment.

How Can You Remove a Rootkit from A Computer?

It is easier to protect yourself from a rootkit than to eliminate it once it has already infected your system. However, there are some tools capable of doing this.

Use Antirootkit Applications

There are some antirootkit applications available that are capable of removing a wide range of rootkits. If your computer is infected by one of them, one of these applications may be able to get rid of it.

Reinstall the Operating System

In case the rootkit has not accessed the system motherboard, reinstalling the operating system may be enough to completely remove it from the computer.

Completely Format the System

In some cases, reinstalling the operating system will not work and it will be necessary to back-up the data, format the computer and reset the hardware.

How to Prevent Rootkits

There are various tools and strategies that we can count on to protect our computer against rootkits. The main ones are:

Avoid Unreliable Websites and Emails:

The easiest way to get infected with a rootkit is to download the malicious software ourselves by mistake. Always make sure that the websites you visit are trustworthy and be wary of emails of dubious origin. Never, under any circumstances, open attachments when in doubt.

Avoid Suspicious USB Devices

The pendrives that have passed through a hundred computers are not welcome in the tuso. Protect your system by preventing these types of devices from coming into contact with it.

Keep Your Operating System Updated

Whether you use Windows, Linux or MacOS, operating system updates are one of the essential tools to count on to protect yourself. Always keep them up to date and make sure you always install the most urgent updates.

Use a Professional Antivirus

It is necessary that you always have a verified professional antivirus capable of protecting you from the vast majority of infections by rootkits. Free or outdated antivirus will not help you keep a rootkit at bay.