A rootkit is a type of malware designed to give hackers access to and control over a target device. It is a collection of computer software, typically malicious, designed to enable access to a computer or an area of its software that is not otherwise allowed and often masks its existence or the existence of other software. The term "rootkit" is a combination of the word "root" and "kit." "Root," "admin," "superuser," or “system admin” are all interchangeable terms for a user account with the admin status of an operating system. Meanwhile, "kit" means a package of software tools. So, a rootkit is a set of tools that gives someone the highest privileges in a system.
Rootkits can be purchased on the dark web and can be installed during phishing attacks or employed as a social engineering tactic to trick users into giving the rootkits permission to be installed on their systems, often giving remote cybercriminals administrator access to the system. Once installed, a rootkit gives the remote actor access to and control over almost every aspect of the operating system (OS) . Rootkits can hide keyloggers, which capture your keystrokes without your consent, making it easy for cybercriminals to steal your personal information, such as credit card or online banking details.
To detect rootkits, it is recommended to use anti-malware software that can scan for and remove rootkits.
