Rootkits are very complex malicious programs with spyware, keylogger and Trojan capabilities. When your computer is infected with a rootkit your computer is under complete control of someone else without you nor your standard antivirus knowing about it. Only the best anti-rootkit software could help you. Your computer has become a Zombie computer and could be used by the hacker in a co-ordinated DOS-attack in order to compromise other systems. The hacker could choose to install any program on your computer as he wishes. Your internet safety is gone. Your internet privacy vanished. Normally the hackers try to create huge zombie-computer networks in order to undertake complex cyber attacks on governmental institutions or banks. Did your internet turned very slow suddenly? Yes, a slow internet might be a sign of a spyware infection or worse rootkit activities. A rootkit with spyware functionality could be on stand by mode most of the time. Only during attacks the rootkit will be activated for fulfilling its tasks for the cracker.
What is the best rootkit scanner or anti-rootkit solution?
Rootkits are activated before your operating system even boots up. This makes them very difficult to detect and also make it possible for cracker to access and use the computer without the owner’s notice. In other problem is that due to the way rootkits are used and installed, they are notoriously difficult to remove. It requires a specialist in order to detect and remove a rootkit. I would recommend my readers to use the SpyHunter 4. This program has a fantastic track record in detecting and removing complex modular malware from infected computers. More importantly, the program includes a HelpDesk and human assistance if the program has difficulties to remove the specific rootkit version. You will not need to call for extra help of an expensive IT-expert. Only the PCKeeper contains a similar service, but this program has not the same track record as the Spyhunter. The Spyhunter contains an excellent rootkit scanner. For more information: SpyHunter 4 Review!
Here is a video presentation of the SpyHunter’s anti-rootkit technology:
Do you have a rootkit on your PC? Free system scan for rootkits & spyware!
What are other good anti-rootkit products and scanners?
High quality rootkits scanners are in general excellent spyware removers. I wrote an article on this topic and mentioned here some specialists you could use as well: Spyware Removal Guide.
Here I will mention two outstanding alterantives. First, the Hitman Pro. Hitman Pro is a relative unkown player, developed by SurfRight, a Dutch security company. Hitman Pro is very effective and has a fantastic track record. It removes without problems rootkits and other complex malware from your computer. It does not come with the same support package as the above mentioned solutions. Nevertheless, it is a cheaper solution! For more information: Hitman Pro 3.7.
Secondly, there is Emsisoft. Emsisoft is a relative new player, but what an incredible performance the Anti-Malware 9.0 delivers in detecting and removing rootkits and other malware. It has a dual-malware scanner with many impressive Awards obtained during the years 2013 and 2014. For more information: Emsisoft Anti-Malware Review.
What is the best pure rootkit scanner for advanced users and IT-specialist.
The above mentioned rootkit scanners are in fact full-blown malware scanners with great anti-rootkit protection. They will detect and remove rootkits without any problems. Nevertheless, there are cases a pure rootkit scanner could be added or used in order to be 100 % sure the rootkit has been removed. This programs are often called Anti-rootkit (ARK) tools. These Arks are powerful tools and using them incorrectly could lead to disastrous problems with your operating system. Most of them should only be utilized by advanced users as they generate long logs which must be interpreted and investigated before taking any removal action.
1. The Bitdefender Rootkit Remover deals easily with Mebroot, all TDL families (TDL/SST/Pihar), Mayachok, Mybios, Plite, XPaj, Whistler, Alipop, Cpd, Fengd, Fips, Guntior, MBR Locker, Mebratix, Niwa, Ponreb, Ramnit, Stoned, Yoddos, Yurn, Zegost and also cleans infections with Necurs (the last rootkit standing). Please note that the list is a bit outdated – new rootkit families are added as they become known. For more information: Bitdefender Rootkit Remover.
2. The TrendMicro Rootkitbuster scans hidden files, registry entries, processes, drivers, services, ports, and the master boot record (MBR) to identify and remove rootkits. For more information: Trend Micro Rootkit Buster
3. The rootkit scanner of GMER. GMER scans for hidden processes, hidden threads, hidden modules, hidden services, hidden files, hidden Alternate Data Streams, hidden registry keys, drivers hooking SSDT, drivers hooking IDT, drivers hooking IRP calls, inline hooks etc. For more information: GMER ARK tool. Here you see a video demonstration that shows how you can remove a rootkit with GMER:
Free PC scan for rootkits & spyware!
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What is the best #rootkit #scanner for the average computer user? http://t.co/js512egtXg
— markkrobinson (@speedupinternet) September 12, 2014