The Network Security. Org

Rootkits, Root Of All Evil?

Are rootkits really as evil as they have been portrayed? Probably not, if you take into consideration the circumstances in which they are used. What is a rootkit anyway? It is defined as a set of software tools used by a third party to gain access to a computer system, and then maintain unknown presence in the system by hiding running processes, files, or data.

The one aspect of a rootkit that is a double-edged sword is the feature that makes it difficult for a user to uninstall a program and also provides a backdoor for someone else to control the system. While the use of this feature in consumer applications would definitely be frowned on (as Sony realized), when it comes to business purposes, it's a whole new ball game. Network Security Journal: Rootkits _ Root Of All Evil?

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