Be Careful of Rootkits

As per PandaLabs, a security research firm, more than 272% harmful rootkits were found in 2007 as compared to 2006.

As per PandaLabs, in 2006, around 75% of the examples processed were designed for monetary gains. The creators of malware are producing a tremendous amount of latest examples and variants. Consequently, the laboratories are not able to tackle it and a lot of malware remain undetected. Hence, the users easily fall prey to these kinds of malware.

The security experts define rootkits as the programs which cyber criminals use to defend the processes of malevolent codes and to make them disappear to operating process and security programs.

The PandaLabs researchers said that cyber crooks does not want notoriety any more - they just want to have monetary gain from their task. Therefore, they attempt to make their actions go undetected, as this will enable their harmful code to remain in a system for a long time. Further, it also prohibits caution among the users. Ironically, rootkits emerge as a safe tool for the hackers.

Another major trouble is that these rootkits are growing rapidly. Recently, in January 2008, PandaLabs found rootkits made for replacing the PC's MBR (Master Boot Record) or the first or zero sector of the hard disk with their own. This development in rootkits is very harmful because it makes it difficult to detect the associated malicious code.

PandaLabs suggested that to avoid this kind of malware users, should equip their system with updated security solutions that can caught even hidden and unknown viruses.

PandaLabs also advised users not to open any unknown mail or click any unidentified link given in mails or instant messages. They also caution the users not to install and suspicious files from P2P (Peer-to-Peer) networks.

Further, they also said that users should install up-to-date security solutions that can prevent the installation of harmful malware in the system. Lastly, scan the security company's suggestion to check malware in the system with an online solution. As per PandaLabs, these tools have better knowledge base accessible to them and can found more malware than the solutions present on the user's PC.

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» SPAMfighter News - 3/7/2008