Rootkit: Definition and additional resources from ZDNet

A type of Trojan that keeps itself, other files, registry keys and network connections hidden from detection. It enables an attacker to have "root" access to the computer, which means it runs at the lowest level of the machine. A rootkit typically intercepts common API calls. For example, it can intercept requests to a file manager such as Explorer and cause it to keep certain files hidden from display, even reporting false file counts and sizes to the user. Rootkits came from the Unix world and started out as a set of altered utilities such as the ls command, which is used to list file names in the directory (folder).

Legitimate Rootkits?
Rootkits can also be used for what some vendors consider valid purposes. For example, if digital rights management (DRM) software is installed and kept hidden, it can control the use of licensed, copyrighted material and also prevent the user from removing the hidden enforcement program. However, such usage is no more welcomed than a rootkit that does damage or allows spyware to thrive without detection. See Trojan.

Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia.
Copyright (c) 1981-2008 The Computer Language Company Inc.
All rights reserved.

Additional Resources

Virus-Evaluator (exe): A complete solution against all of the most serious Internet threats, including malware, spyware, adware, trojans, worms, viruses, rootkits, phishing, spam, and hackers consisting of anti-malware, anti-spyware, anti-spam, anti-rootkit and anti-phishing. This version is the first release on CNET Download.com.; Tags: Essentials, Phishing, Cyberthreats, Spyware, Adware & Malware, Spyware, Viruses And Worms, Rootkits, Spam, Security, Spam And Phishing; Software downloads 2008-07-02
Why computers fail: Why computers failA good UPS...will decrease failure rates tremendously. I use Belkin AVR UPS's and the only systems I've had go down in the last year were ones installed by my predecessor without UPS's. There is no doubt in my mind that bad power is a PC's worst enemy....; Tags: Semiconductors, Network technology, Tools & Techniques, PRODUCTIVITY, Spyware, adware & malware, Viruses and worms, chip, failure rate, hardware, software, United Parcel Service of America Inc., redundancy, computer; Discussion threads 2008-07-01
Photobucket's DNS records hijacked by Turkish hacking group: Photobucket's DNS records hijacked by Turkish hacking groupJust wait until Paypal gets hijackedSo far this has just been child's play. Sooner or later there's going to be some serious financial consequences, and not just for the site owners.RE: Photobucket's DNS records hijacked by Turkish hacking groupThat's all very well... but...; Tags: Domain names, NETWORKING, SECURITY, Photobucket, Turkish, hacking group, DNS Records, DNS, hacking; Discussion threads 2008-06-18
Prevx CSI (exe): Prevx CSI is fast and advanced malware scanner, helping hundreds of people every day to detect and fix Rootkit, Spyware, Trojan, Virus, Keylogger and even targeted infections that have evaded their existing security. Prevx CSI makes it simple to check your PC quickly and easily, with no need to change...; Tags: Prevx, Prevx CSI, Rootkits, Scanners, Spyware, Adware & Malware, Cyberthreats, Security, Spyware, Viruses And Worms, Hardware, Peripherals; Software downloads 2008-06-05
Cisco confirms possibility of IOS rootkits: On the heels of an EUSecWest conference presentation on malicious rootkits for Cisco IOS see background, Cisco's security response team has published a must-read document confirming that stealthy malware can be loaded on the software used on the vast majority of its routers and network switches. Cisco...; Tags: Cisco IOS, Password, Cisco Systems Inc., Rootkits, Security, Spyware, Adware & Malware, Ryan Naraine; Blog posts 2008-05-27

Antivirus is 'completely wasted money': Cisco CSO: Antivirus is 'completely wasted money': Cisco CSOBUYING antivirus is a waste of timeBut honestly; from what I've read, freeware antiviruses such as Clam, and Avast do as good a job or better than overpriced commerical ones you have to subscribe too.In the last 4 years I've been on Win2k, and...; Tags: Microsoft Windows, Tools & Techniques, Viruses and worms, Black List, antivirus, security, Cisco Systems Inc., software, Using Virtual Machine, Stewart; Discussion threads 2008-05-21
Ad-Aware 2008 (exe): With the ability to scan your RAM, Registry, hard drives, and external storage devices for known data-mining, advertising, and tracking components, Ad-Aware 2008 can clean your system easily, allowing you to maintain a higher degree of privacy while you surf the Web.Ad-Aware 2008 includes an improved threat detection, enhanced rootkit...; Tags: Lavasoft, Ad-aware, Spyware, Spyware, Adware & Malware, Rootkits, Data Mining, Security, Enterprise Software, Software, Data Management; Software downloads 2008-05-21
Security Researcher to release Cisco rootkit at EUSecWest: Security Researcher to release Cisco rootkit at EUSecWestRootkit on a RouterThis could be interesting... Cisco likes to put voice on a router, too! I can just imagine the trouble someone could cause with this one.All your eggs in one basket is a bad idea.RE: Security Researcher to release Cisco rootkit...; Tags: Rootkits, Routers & switches, Cisco Systems Inc., router, EUSecWest, rootkit, security; Discussion threads 2008-05-15
News to know: Comcast-Plaxo; Icahn-Yahoo; Linux; Microsoft: Notable headlines: Larry Dignan: Comcast buys Plaxo: Will social networking and TV fly? Dennis Howlett: Comcast scoops up Plaxo: good move Dan Farber: Comcast goes social with Plaxo acquisition Techmeme EIC podcast: HP-EDS; Google; SaaS Adrian...; Tags: Plaxo Inc., Google Inc., Larry Dignan, Comcast Corp., Workday, Microsoft Corp., Zoho, Linux, Microsoft Windows, Desktops, Rootkits, Microsoft Windows Vista (Longhorn), Operating Systems, UNIX, Software, Hardware, Security, Spyware, Adware & Malware; Blog posts 2008-05-15
Security Researcher to release Cisco rootkit at EUSecWest: According to good friend Robert McMillan of IDG News, Sebastian Muniz, a researcher with Core Security Technologies, has developed malicious rootkit software for Cisco's routers, which he will release on May 22 at the EuSecWest conference in London. This will mark the first time at least publicly that someone has released a...; Tags: Black Hat, Cisco IOS, Router, Cisco Systems Inc., Robert McMillan, Rootkits, Security, Spyware, Adware & Malware, Nathan McFeters; Blog posts 2008-05-14
Trick or treat: AIM worm delivers backdoor, rootkit and adware: Trick or treat: AIM worm delivers backdoor, rootkit and adwareRe: Aim wormhttp://www.analogstereo.com/ferrari_328_owners_manual.htmRE: Trick or treat: AIM worm delivers backdoor, rootkit and adwarehttp://www.analogstereo.com/ferrari_328_owners_manual.htm; Tags: Rootkits, Cyberthreats, Spyware, adware & malware, Spyware, Viruses and worms, SECURITY, AIM worm, Trick-or-Treat, worm, rootkit, AOL Instant Messenger, adware; Discussion threads 2008-05-04
What would you change (first) about Windows' look and feel?: What would you change first about Windows' look and feel?RE: What would you change first about Windows' look and feel?With so many people nowadays using widescreen monitors, I would reserve a portion of the screen for all the MS junk to happen in there (notifications, warnings, popups, etc.) and leave...; Tags: Operating systems, Office 7, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office; Discussion threads 2008-04-30
Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus (exe): Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic is a comprehensive, easy to use antivirus program, designed to offer reliable free of charge virus protection to home-users only. Avira offers: 1.Extensive Malware Recognition of viruses, Trojans, backdoor programs, worms, etc. 2.Automatic incremental updates of antivirus signatures, engine and entire software. 3.Permanent virus protection, with...; Tags: Antivirus, Virus, Avira, Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic, Cyberthreats, Viruses And Worms, Security; Software downloads 2008-04-14
HP ships USB sticks with malware: HP ships USB sticks with malwareMade in China crap.Enough said.Reminds me of the early days of computingAh yes, this is how viruses used to spread in the days of DOS with floppies. Not a very popular vector anymore, but we should remember it's still possible, and we should still run...; Tags: Cyberthreats, Spyware, adware & malware, Viruses and worms, SECURITY, Safety Recall, USB-sticks, Hewlett-Packard Co., malware, floppy disk, virus; Discussion threads 2008-04-09
MokaFive and Desktop Virtualization: MokaFive is lauching MokaFive Virtual Desktop Solution™, its entry into the rapidly moving "desktop virtualization market, today. Although the claims MokaFive is making sound similar to many other suppliers in this area, the company appears to have come up with a slighly different approach, one that just make the process...; Tags: Security, Desktop Virtualization, MokaFive, LivePC, Desktops, Hardware, Dan Kusnetzky; Blog posts 2008-04-07
Netgate Internet Security 2008 (exe): Netgate Internet Security, a bundle comprising of FortKnox Personal Firewall 2008 and Spy Emergency 2008, is a complete security protection solution against all of the most serious Internet threats, including malware, spyware, adware, trojans, worms, viruses, rootkits, phishing, spam and hackers consisting of anti-malware, anti-spyware, anti-spam, anti-rootkit, anti-phishing and firewall...; Tags: Internet Security, NETGATE Technologies, Phishing, Internet, Cyberthreats, Spyware, Adware & Malware, Firewalls, Spyware, Security, Spam, Viruses And Worms, Rootkits, Spam And Phishing, Networking; Software downloads 2008-04-04
Spy Emergency 2008 (exe): Spy Emergency is an antispyware, antimalware, antispam software that quickly and securely removes spyware and other Internet infections, including spyware, adware, malware, home-page hijackers, remote administration tools, dialers, and keyloggers. Version 5.0.195 includes extended behavioral heuristic scanning, Lowlevel Anti-rootkit Protection, Site Identity Verifier, Built-in proactive resident shield protection with dynamic...; Tags: NETGATE Technologies, Spy Emergency, Remote Administration, Spyware, Adware & Malware, Spyware, Internet, Cyberthreats, Viruses And Worms, Security; Software downloads 2008-04-03
Sony drops its $49 "no crapware" fee: Sony drops its $49 "no crapware" feeAnd ...... the fact that this is only offered on Viusta Business? Another bit of "internal miscommunication?"Also, the Sony store is still taking $50 off people for this option.RE: Sony drops its $49Rule of thumb: don't buy a Sony in the first place.RE:...; Tags: Rootkits, Tools & Techniques, Desktops, Sony Corp.; Discussion threads 2008-03-21
Friday Rant - Sony and Apple/iTunes, you're on the wedgie list!: Friday Rant - Sony and Apple/iTunes, you're on the wedgie list!I hear you thereThe fact that they sell you a system that they know is underperforming due to the crapware is ironic as they advertise these system and "Optimal Performers", "Fast!", ect.(I also charge the same "rates", but they allways...; Tags: Digital music, Digital media, Desktops, Sony Corp., Apple Safari, Friday Rant; Discussion threads 2008-03-21
News to know: Windows 7; FCC; Census IT; HDMI; MacBook mystery; Fave Windows programs: Notable headlines: Ed Bott: Your turn: Readers choose their 10 favorite Windows programs Gallery right Mary Jo Foley: Why Windows 7 might go to pieces Michael Krigsman: Billion-dollar IT failure at Census Bureau George Ou: HDMI survival guide...; Tags: FCC, Google Inc., HDMI, Microsoft Windows 7, Information Technology, Apple MacBook, Apple Inc., Microsoft Windows, Rootkits, Federal Government, Operating Systems, Software, Security, Spyware, Adware & Malware, Government, Larry Dignan; Blog posts 2008-03-21