Shining a spotlight on rootkits

Sophos Anti-Rootkit is a sophisticated rootkit detector and remover for Windows NT, 2000, XP and 2003. Before scanning, it's strongly recommended to close down all non-essential applications. A rootkit scan can take several minutes on a desktop computer or significantly longer on a server. The scan searches for hidden files, processes, registry keys and values. When the scan finishes, a pop-up screen appears, confirming the status and results of the scan. Click on the suspicious file to display more information about it. The information displayed includes whether the item is recommended for removal. If a suspicious file is recognized it can be safely removed, and if the scanner isn't sure what it is, but considers it suspicious, it can still be removed.

Panda AntiRootkit, like Sophos, has a GUI and allows

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If one of the rootkit scanners mentioned above doesn't do it for you, you can also run additional rootkit detection and removal tools such as:

McAfee Rootkit Detective is a program designed to detect and clean rootkits and works on XP, 2000 and 2003. However, McAfee strongly recommends its software only be used by knowledgeable individuals at the direction of, and with the support of a representative from McAfee Avert Labs or McAfee Technical. AVG Anti-Rootkit Free provides for rootkit detection and removal and works on Windows 2000 and XP.

Rootkit detection and removal is showing up as part of more anti-virus packages, but these scanners can help provide an additional line of defense against the dark arts.

About the author:
Scott Sidel is an ISSO with Lockheed Martin.

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