What Are Rootkits? Your computer seems to be running properly and you’re not experiencing any apparent suspicious activity. The next thing you know, many of your important files are missing and error after error seem to be invading your PC. You may very well have a rootkit intrusion.

What exactly is a rootkit? To put it simply, a rootkit is a hacker or phisher’s way of stealing your info, taking over your desktop and hiding whilst performing these tasks. A Rootkit is just as it sounds, a password is compromised or a vulnerability is exploited and a hacker gains administrative or root acccess to your system.

No criminal wants to get caught and rootkit useage is a popular tactic cyber criminals use to avoid detection. Rootkits can be used by spyware, viruses, worms and backdoors for malicious purposes.

Rootkits aren’t a threat themselves in essence, but these software tools can be used to cover up malicious activity. For the time being, Rootkits are not the biggest threat online but they are a growing threat that consumers should be aware of.

Are you Protected from Rootkits?
Many antivirus and antispyware products offer Rootkit protection but in general only recent versions of such software. You need to check with your security vendor to see if you have rootkit protection.

The Shield Deluxe and Security Shield 2007 provide rootkit protection.  ¶ 4:27 PM