Hidden threats: RootKits and BootNets | Free Antivirus

What Are Rootkits and Botnets?

A rootkit is a piece of software that can be installed and hidden on your computer without your knowledge. It can be bundled into a larger software package or installed by an attacker who may have exploited a vulnerability on your computer or convinced you to download it. Rootkits are not necessarily malicious, but they can hide malicious activity. Attackers can access information, monitor your actions, modify programs, or perform other functions on your computer without being detected.

A botnet is a term derived from the idea of ​​bot networks. At its most basic, a bot is simply an automated computer program or robot. In the context of botnets, bots refer to computers that can be controlled by one or more external sources. An attacker generally gains control by infecting computers with a virus or other malicious code that gives the attacker access. Your computer may be part of a botnet even though it appears to be working normally. Botnets are often used to perform a variety of activities, from distributing spam and viruses to conducting denial of service attacks.

Why Are They Considered Threats?

The main problem with rootkits and botnets is that they are hidden. Although botnets are not hidden in the same way that rootkits are, they may not be detected unless you are specifically looking for a certain activity. If a rootkit was installed, you may not know that your computer has been compromised and that traditional antivirus software cannot detect malicious programs. Attackers are also creating more sophisticated programs that are updated to make them even harder to detect.

Attackers can use rootkits and botnets to access and modify personal information, attack other computers, and commit other crimes while going undetected. By using multiple computers, attackers increase the scope and impact of their crimes. Because each computer in a botnet can be programmed to execute the same command, an attacker can have each of them scan multiple computers for vulnerabilities, monitor online activity, or collect information entered in online forms.

 

What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?

By practicing good security habits, you can reduce the risk of your computer being compromised:

• Use and keep anti-malware software up-to-date: Anti-malware software recognizes and protects your computer against most known malware, so it may be able to detect and remove the virus before it can cause harm. Because attackers are continually writing new malware, it is important to keep your definitions up to date. Some antimalware vendors also offer anti-rootkit software.

• Install antivirus: Antivirus can prevent some types of infection by blocking malicious traffic before it can enter your computer and limiting the traffic it sends. Some operating systems include a firewall, but you need to make sure it is enabled.

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• Use good passwords: select passwords that are difficult for attackers to guess and additionally use different passwords for different programs and devices. Do not choose options that allow your computer to remember its passwords.

• Keep software up to date - Install software patches so attackers cannot exploit known issues or vulnerabilities. Many operating systems offer automatic updates. If this option is available, you must enable it.

• Follow good security practices: Take proper precautions when using email and web browsers to reduce the risk that your actions will trigger an infection.

Unfortunately, if there is a rootkit on your computer or if an attacker is using your computer on a botnet, you may not know it. Even if you find out that you are a victim, it is difficult for the average user to recover effectively. The attacker may have modified the files on your computer, so simply deleting the malicious files may not solve the problem and you may not be able to safely trust an older version of a file.

As an alternative, some vendors are developing products and tools that can remove a rootkit from your computer. If the software cannot locate and remove the infection, you may need to reinstall your operating system, usually with a system restore disc that is often shipped with a new computer. Keep in mind that reinstalling or restoring the operating system generally erases all its files and any additional software that you have installed on your computer. Furthermore, the infection can be located at such a deep level that it cannot be removed simply by reinstalling or restoring the operating system.