ESET Online Help

Search English
Select the topic

Rootkit

Rootkits are malicious programs that grant internet attackers unlimited access to a system while concealing their presence. Rootkits use functions in the operating system to avoid detection by antivirus software: they conceal processes, files, and Windows registry data. For this reason, it is almost impossible to detect them using standard testing techniques.

There are two levels of detection to prevent rootkits:

1.When they try to access a system—They are still not present and are therefore inactive. Most antivirus systems can eliminate rootkits at this level (assuming that they detect such files as being infected).

2.When they are hidden from the usual testing—ESET users have the advantage of Anti-Stealth technology, which can detect and eliminate active rootkits.