How to Prevent a Rootkit Attack?

Maybe you’ve already heard somewhere the name rootkit¹. The name which comes from the Linux and Unix operating systems means the most privileged account admin that is called ” the root”. And the applications with the help of which a user can have admin-level access or unauthorized root access to the device are called the “kit”.

Mostly rootkits infect operating systems and software but they can also infect a computer’s hardware and firmware. They are hard to detect due to their deep-rooted nature of infection.

What is a Rootkit Attack?

With the help of rootkit malware threat actors can have access to and control over the targeted device further conducting malicious activity. Once the rootkit is on the device it will either install other malware or steal the personal data and financial information. In addition, threat actors can use it as a botnet conducting DDoS(Denial-of-Service)² attacks or sending spam. Rootkits can exist as a single piece of software but often they are made up of a collection of tools.

IMPORTANT NEWS FOR THE READER:The Ukrainian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-UA) said Ukraine has been hit by massive DDoS attacks.

The rootkit attack operates near or within the kernel of the operating system which gives threat actors the ability to make direct commands to the computer. In such a way, threat actors can install, for example, a keylogger to capture your keystrokes without you knowing this. A keylogger³ steals your personal information like online banking details or credit cards.

How Does a Rootkit Work?

Rootkits exploit the process called modification — when a user changes account permissions and security. Usually, this process is only allowed by a computer administrator.

In computing this type of modification helps to make some positive and needed changes to systems while threat actors take advantage of this in their pursuit.

But before they can install a rootkit threat actors need to obtain administrator or root access. To do so they often exploit known vulnerabilities such as obtaining private passwords via phishing or privilege escalation. Sometimes the process can be automated.

IMPORTANT NEWS FOR THE READER: The main threats that Gridinsoft Anti-Malware detects are something that is important to know.

Popular Rootkit Attack Examples

The malwareWeb pages don’t work as they should. Web pages or a network activity work strangely because of the excessive traffic. 

You have noticed changed Windows settings without your permission. The examples might include the incorrect date and time set, the taskbar that hides itself, and a changed screensaver.

Your device has significantly slowed down in performance. Sometimes your device doesn’t respond to the keyboard or mouse input. It often freezes or does things very slowly. Also, it takes a while for the device to start. 

You also noticed unusual web browser behavior. In your browser appeared an unknown bookmark or suspicious link redirection.

Constant blue screen. Every time your computer needs to reboot blue screens with white text (“the blue screen of death”) appear often. 

Your whole system behaves strangely. One of the abilities of a rootkit is to manipulate your OS. If you notice some strange and unusual behavior it could be a sign of a rootkit.

How to Prevent Rootkit Attacks

The rootkit will only work if you somehow launch it. Below you will find tips on how to prevent the infection with the best practices:

• Monitor your network traffic. Make it a habit to regularly monitor your network in the presence of any malicious traffic interference. Network specialists can redeem the effect of rootkit activity by isolating the network segments. By doing so they can prevent the attack from spreading.
• Enable next gen antivirus. It goes without saying that in today’s world, a good antivirus solution is like a vaccine against numerous cyber threats. Keep it enabled and regularly do the scans of the whole system.
• Regularly do the updates of your software. Many software tend to have known vulnerabilities. Companies regularly do updates to patch them. If there are no vulnerabilities found for threat actors then there’s no exploit available.
• Be careful about phishing emails. Phishing emails, you can call it so,  are the main medium for the threat actors to target your device. They will try to trick you into clicking on a malicious link or opening some suspicious attachment. The phishing email can be a fake Facebook request asking you to update your login credentials or the infected Word/Excel document, a photo, or a regular executable program.
• Do the scans of your system. Run a regular scan of your system to detect a threat. If you want to ensure there’s no need to worry do it right after you notice anything unusual from the list described above. The habit of regularly making scans ensures the security and safety of your data.

How to Remove a Rootkit

It’s hard to detect a rootkit and remove it. Because of its hidden nature and stealthy ways of doing its job, you have to spend a large amount of time to successfully get rid of the malware.

Don’t waste any time as the rootkit may cause additional troubles and the fewer of them you will have of course the better. To prove the point it can be that the rootkit has installed some backdoor and you will also have to get rid of it.

Try to work with the Gridinsoft Anti-malware to help you remove the malware and deal with its consequences. With the easy interface to navigate it won’t make a difficult to give one trouble less.

1. Rootkit malware
2. What is a Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attacks?
3. What is keylogger malware?
4. What is Malware?