What Are Rootkits Attacks, and How Can I Defend Myself Against Them?

Has your computer started to run very slowly, your RAM is always low or you get a blue screen frequently? Perhaps you are facing a serious threat: a Rootkit. But what are Rootkits, their purposes, and how can you defend yourself against their attacks? Read on to discover the answers.

What Are Rootkits?

A Rootkit is a software used by hackers to take control of the target computer or network. It is often made up of special tools that allow the hacker remote access and administrator permissions on the attacked computer, making it easier for him to introduce changes to the system.

They can be installed in many ways, for example, by unconsciously downloading and installing malicious software on computers.

The purpose of the Rootkit will depend on what type it is. In this article we will talk about the five most common types of Rootkits and the effect they cause on devices:

User-mode rootkits.

They are easy to detect and remove. They are generally known as Application Rootkit and these are responsible for replacing the executable files of standard programs such as Word, Excel, Paint, or Notepad. Hackers will have access to your computer every time you activate a file with the .exe extension, without you noticing.

Kernel-mode rootkits.

They are among the most severe, as they attack the core of your operating system, but they are easy to detect and treat. A hacker could access the files on your computer and change the operation of the operating system if they use their own code thanks to this type of Rootkit.

Bootloader rootkits.

Computers Windows 7 32 - bit or 64 - bit are the most likely to be attacked by these rootkits. They affect the MBR, or main boot record, and the VBR, or boot volume record, of the system. By being attached to such records they are more difficult to detect and eliminate. You should know that if one of these Rootkit injects its code into the MBR, your computer can be completely damaged,

Memory rootkits.

They are rarely considered as a threat, as they have a very short lifespan, in fact, they disappear when the system is restarted. They hide in the computer's RAM memory and run their malicious processes in the background, thus affecting the performance of the RAM. 

Firmware Rootkits.

They are a serious threat to your online security. They can infect your hard drive, your router, or your system BIOS. Hackers will not only be able to control your online activity, but also to record the keystrokes you make on the keyboard.

Did you know that this type of attack on your computer and privacy was possible? However, our intention is not only to inform you of the dangers but also to help you defend yourself against Rootkits and eliminate those that are installed.

How to Defend Yourself Against Rootkits and How to Remove Them

Rootkits are often difficult to detect because they operate at higher privilege levels than most cybersecurity programs. To scan your device, you will need an advanced antivirus tool that has add-ons for Rootkit, which will allow you to remove them from the network.

Since not all of us have these wonderful tools, it is best to avoid infection. To defend your team, we invite you to apply the following suggestions:

• Use security programs on your computer.
• Update your system regularly.
• Use strong passwords.
• Enter the network as a conventional user and avoid using your administrator account.
• Expand your knowledge about the different types of fraud on the internet.
• Use write protection on your computer.
• Do not open files attached to emails from unknown senders.
• Purchase your software directly from the manufacturer if possible, and read the terms and conditions of use carefully.

We hope we have been able to give you all the necessary information so that you know the possible attacks that hackers are trying to execute on your computers through Rootkits.

Remember that the best way to deal with them is by avoiding their installation through the suggestions or preventive measures that we have given you in this article.