They’re sneaky: Rootkit infections can spread through deceptive threat vectors like corrupt downloads, spam emails, and exploit kits.
#Should i let malwarebytes scan for rootkits in real time software#
Thankfully, modern antivirus software that leverages cutting-edge security techniques such as behavioral heuristics can remediate different types of malware, from viruses and worms to ransomware, Trojans, and even some rootkits. A virus is just one type of malware, and while a virus only corrupts data, a rootkit is far more advanced. Is rootkit a virus?Ĭontrary to popular perception, a rootkit is not a virus - it’s malware. Because they enable root-level access, rootkits can be used to do things like deactivate your antivirus software, spy on your activity, steal sensitive data, or execute other malware on the device. A threat actor who has gotten a rootkit onto your machine (often via phishing email) can remotely access and control it. Rootkits are particularly dangerous because they are designed to hide their presence on your device. So, a rootkit is a set of tools that gives someone the highest privileges in a system. Meanwhile, "kit" means a package of software tools.
The term rootkit is a combination of the word "root" and "kit." "Root," "admin," "superuser," or “system admin” are all interchangeable terms for a user account with the admin status of an operating system.
Here is a brief rootkit definition in computing terms - rootkits are a kind of malware that can give a threat actor control of your computer without your consent or knowledge. A rootkit can be quite dangerous to the personal information on your device, and it usually serves cybercriminals. While the term rootkit may sound like a math solving rule or even a gardening tool, it’s neither of those things.
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