There are so many types of malware out there that it can be hard to know which ones you should be taking extra precautions for. One type of malware is known as a rootkit, and these are extremely difficult to detect. A rootkit is usually installed on the Windows operating system when an unsuspecting user visits a malicious website or downloads software, not from a trusted source. For this reason, it’s important that you run regular scans of your computer using trusted security software like Microsoft Security Essentials in order to make sure you’re free from any type of malware, including rootkits.
Rootkit:
A rootkit is a type of software that is designed to conceal the presence of certain types of malicious activity, including malware and viruses. A rootkit can be installed on a computer via an external flash drive, CD or DVD, or even through an infected website. Once installed, it can be difficult to remove and may require the assistance of an experienced computer professional. This type of attack hides malicious software in your system so that it doesn’t show up in your regular scans or appear on your computer as something you should be concerned about. The first step to take toward securing your computer is to make sure it’s running current and up-to-date. One way of doing this is by using software like Microsoft Security Essentials, which scans your system automatically every day looking for any type of malware. Once installed, it will scan your system with a variety of different antivirus programs, spyware detection software, and other security tools in order to ensure that you have no malicious software on your computer. This makes it a good idea to run scans at least once a month, but every time you start your computer, it will be wise to run another scan just as a precaution.:
Malware Scan:
- Download Microsoft Security Essentials from the link below and install, following the on-screen instructions.
- Launch Microsoft Security Essentials and make sure your computer is connected to the Internet, then click “Scan” on the toolbar or go to “Tools” and click “scan”.
- In order for Microsoft Security Essentials to scan for malware it needs to have permission to connect with your network, so go to “Options” at the top menu bar, then click “Change Settings”. Click the box that says: Scans this PC for signs of malware” then click OK.
- Now click the “Play” button on the toolbar, this will run a full scan of your computer.
- After the scan has been completed, look for any items that show up like this:
- Click the “Remove” link under each item to remove it from your system.
- When you’ve completed the above steps, restart your computer to make sure everything works correctly.
Countermeasures:
- Check every file before downloading.
- Open the downloaded file with antivirus software.
- Make sure you have antivirus software installed on your computer at all times.
- Use a firewall to prevent outside access to your computer.
- Always back up your files to an external hard drive in case of damage or corruption of data.
- Encrypt your important files with a key that only you know about and give copies of the key to yourself so that if there is any damage or corruption, the information can be retrieved from another source.
- Always download files from a trusted website.
- If an unknown program pops up on your screen, try to close the window immediately, do not open it, and do not click ok or allow.
Conclusion:
Every time you start your computer, keep in mind that there could be a rootkit on your system, waiting to attack you. For this reason, it’s essential that you run regular scans of your computer using trusted security software like Microsoft Security Essentials in order to make sure you’re free from any type of malware, including rootkits.