You may have heard the different terms like virus, phishing and malware which are used for the common online threats. But if you use the word Rootkit, most of the people will consider it a gardening product used for fertilizing the flowers. But Rootkit is among the most dangerous tools used by hackers to control your device.
In this article, we will give you a brief introduction about Rootkit and what security measures you should take to avoid this threat.
What is Rootkit?
Rootkits are a kind of malware intended to be installed on your device. They remain hidden in your device without your knowledge. Rootkit enables somebody to attain and retain operational control over a system, either maliciously or legally.
This implies that the rootkit holder can execute data, and he can change the system settings on a targeted device. The rootkit owner can also monitor your activities and can access the log files.
Rootkits are very hard to spot because they use advanced methods to avoid detection. It might be hidden in the operating system level that regulates the overall system or disguises another program.
They also trap detections apps because these apps cannot identify the rootkits.
- Rootkits can intercept the communication of your device.
- They can increase the performance of the operating system over its limit.
- The internet of things (IoT) can also be affected by rootkits.
- It is not a minor threat. They can transfer the control of your device to some hacker in a remote location.
What can hackers do with Rootkit?
- Hackers can insert malicious software or Trojans in your device, and you can’t identify that software without advanced-level knowledge of the tools used for malicious software.
- Your device will be opened for the hackers.
- It can act as an attacker gateway to take over your confidential information and accounts.
- If the Rootkit gained complete control over your operating system, your mobile phone would also be compromised.
- It can undermine the antimalware applications and spread malware on your computer.
What are the types of Rootkit?
1. Bootkits
They can corrupt the boot portions in the hard drive. They’re activated before any antivirus or operating system starts working.
2. Kernel-mode Rootkit
It is among the most challenging to spot. Hackers insert the code into the centre of your OS. Kernel tier is just like the command centre of your computer, which implies that this Rootkit will take over the entire device.
3. Firmware rootkit
They will have access to your firmware code that manages specific devices such as the PC peripherals, routers, etc. Firmware is connected to your computer and can serve as an operating system for some of the devices. As a consequence, hackers could retain full command over specific devices.
4. User-mode Rootkit.
This works at the application point of your pc, controlling software, hijacking procedures and jeopardizing your files. This kind of Rootkit is easy to detect because it works on a software level.
5. Rootkit hypervisor
Such rootkits can control the OS in a virtual machine and intercepts the hardware of your operating system. In this manner, they overtake your device.
How can Rootkit Affect your Device?
Following are some of the ways by which Rootkit can affect your system
- It can hitch a ride on the trustworthy software which you installed. Most of the time it is introduced by the third party websites.
- By acquiring or taking away your access data by using social engineering;
- You may have downloaded it from some malicious or suspicious website
How to Prevent Rootkits?
1. Do not open the suspicious mails
Stats indicate that 92% of malicious software, such as rootkits, is dispersed via email. It implies that your odds of getting contaminated with a rootkit through email are huge. Hackers use some techniques to get thousands of email addresses of users.
After collecting the mails, they send spamming emails to all of the users. Whenever a user opens the mail, the Rootkit is downloaded in the device, and it automatically starts installing in your device without your knowledge.
To prevent rootkits from invading your device, stop opening malicious emails, mainly if you are unfamiliar with the sender.
2. Do not Download Cracked Software
You may download cracked software for free from a website, but these are widely used by attackers to deploy the rootkits on the user’s device. The cracked software is often loaded with adware, which creates persistent and irritating pop-ups on your device.
Always install the legitimate software to block rootkits and all the other forms of malware.
3. Install the Software Updates
A rootkit can be inserted into your device by the flaws in the system, and these flaws are unavoidable. Developers can only detect a weakness after the code has been released, and if there is any vulnerability in the code, only the updates are the solution.
Most of the users never pay importance to the updates. But the truth is that by downloading software updates you can increase your computer security, stop the viruses and rootkits from getting to your device.
Whenever the new updates of software are available, do not delay the installation.
4. Antimalware Software With the Rootkit Detection
The malware attacks can be avoided by antimalware software. You need the latest software with advance techniques to stop the malware. Usually, antimalware technology installed with the Host Intrusion Prevention Program as a function is designed to track computer memory.
This stops any malicious software from being downloaded to the os, and this is the way to avoid antimalware rootkits.
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