What Rootkits Are and How to Cope with Them | Total Security

Professionals and security enthusiasts already know what rootkits are, ordinary users are unaware of this type of malware that was developed specifically to hide themselves

Professionals and security enthusiasts already know what rootkits are, ordinary users are unaware of this type of malware that was developed specifically to hide themselves and their activity on the infected system. Another cybercriminal who is constantly developing new methods to steal your information.

The ability to hide allows this type of malware to remain on the victim's system for months, sometimes even years, allowing a hacker to use the computer for whatever he wants. Even a machine that does not contain valuable information, which is unusual, can be useful for producing bitcoins (digital currency), sending spam, and participating in DDoS attacks. Rootkit functionality allows hackers to hide their criminal activities not only from monitoring tools built into the OS, but from antivirus sensors as well. That is why we suggest that you look for the anti-rootkits function in your antivirus and web security systems.

Rootkit Variants

There are two main types of rootkits: user-mode and kernel-mode. The former is designed to work in the same place that the operating system and applications operate. They perform their malicious functions by hacking into computer applications or by rewriting the memory used by those applications. This type of rootkit is the most common. Instead, kernels operate from the kernel and provide the cracker with the most important computer privileges. Once the kernel rootkit is installed, the hacker can take control of the infected computer and do whatever he wants on it. This type of malware is more complex than the previous one and, therefore, less common. Furthermore, it is also more difficult to detect and eliminate.

There are also other variants, although less common, such as rootkits. These programs are designed to modify the computer's boot loader, the software that works before the operating system loads. Recently, a new class of mobile rootkits has emerged targeting smartphones, especially Android devices. These rootkits are associated with a malicious application that is downloaded from third-party forums or Appstore.

What Makes a Rootkit Invisible? 

The malware integrates its code into the operating system and intercepts all common requests to read the file, obtaining a list of all active processes. A rootkit processes these requests and stores any mention of files, processes, and other traces related to its activity. Other techniques can also be used, for example, a rootkit can insert its code into a legitimate process and use the memory of the process to do its dirty work. This makes the rootkit invisible to less advanced antivirus solutions, which operate at the superficial level of OS requests and do not attempt to delve into other hardware structures.

If the antivirus detects a rootkit, the malware may try to disable protection and delete some delicate components of the solution. The most advanced rootkits use scapegoat techniques, create irrelevant files especially for them to be identified by the antivirus, when the software accesses the file the rootkit tries to take it down and prevent future executions.

How Does It Infect the Computer?

Rootkits can be installed using various methods, but the most common is by exploiting a vulnerability in the operating system or in an application on the computer. Hackers target their attackers against known and unknown vulnerabilities in the operating system and applications; using an exploit that controls the machine. Then, they install the rootkit and configure a few components that provide remote access to the PC. The exploits are usually hosted on a website, previously hacked. Another form of infection is USB. Attackers leave infected USB sticks somewhere a victim will see and pick them up: office buildings, coffee shops, or convention centers. In some cases, the installation is performed using security vulnerabilities, but in others,

How Can You Avoid This Confusion? 

First of all, by identifying any suspicious activity, your antivirus must thoroughly monitor system files to catch malware that attempts to modify the hard drive. You can detect rootkits that remain unidentified by your antivirus just by comparing the activities of your computer's operating system with the results of low-level monitoring. It is also crucial to have powerful antivirus protection like total security so that malware cannot disable it. Last, but not least, an antivirus must remove 100% of the rootkit components, including those inserted in delicate files of the operating system.

So ensure protection that covers these needs before saying "I know what a rootkit is, I am sure that my antivirus solution protects me from this threat."