

Victims unknowingly download and install malware that hides within other processes running on their machines and give the hackers control of almost all aspects of the operating system. The most common is through phishing or another type of social engineering attack.Hackers install rootkits on target machines in a number of ways: Rootkits can sometimes appear as a single piece of software but are often made up of a collection of tools that allow hackers administrator-level control over the target device. What is rootkit?Ī rootkit is software used by cybercriminals to gain control over a target computer or network. The applications which allow unauthorized root or admin-level access to the device are known as the "kit". The name “rootkit” derives from Unix and Linux operating systems, where the most privileged account admin is called the "root". Once they gain unauthorized access to computers, rootkits enable cybercriminals to steal personal data and financial information, install malware or use computers as part of a botnet to circulate spam and participate in DDoS (distributed denial of service) attacks. Rootkits are adept at concealing their presence, but while they remain hidden, they are active. Although most rootkits affect the software and the operating system, some can also infect your computer’s hardware and firmware. A rootkit is a type of malware designed to give hackers access to and control over a target device.
