20% of PCs are infected with Rootkit

Security firm Prevx - UK - has warned of the "dizzying development" of the number of rootkit-infected computers - specialized malware to hide the existence of the virus.

More than 725,000 computers were scanned with the Prevx CSI malware scanner over a period of more than 2 months. In 291,000 scans in October, every 6 PCs had 1 malware or spyware infection, equivalent to 15.6%. However, this number has skyrocketed to 20%, in early December. In the words of Jacques Erasmus of Prevx, 'the era of rootkits has begun.'

Rootkits are usually dropped or hidden by other malicious software. They will then 'disguise' themselves to hide before the user or any security program installed on the machine. They allow "destructive" programs from other computers to control, record, change, steal or move data from the victim's PC.

PC speed with Rootkit infection increases face

Some rootkits cannot be detected by traditional anti-virus and anti-spyware software. A technology-less person can think of his device as safe, and accidentally send more and more valuable financial and personal information.

Since December 1, 2007, there have been 114,891 PCs scanning rootkits with Prevx CSI. Of these, 1,678 PCs were infected with rootkits at a serious level, equivalent to 1.46% or 1/70, nearly 15 times higher than the rate of 1/1000 previously measured by industry experts. In the first 9 days of this month alone, 93 companies used Prevx CSI scanners. Among them, 68 companies have at least 1 device that has been poisoned by rootkits and 13 companies, or 14%, have 1 or more machines hiding the risk of rootkits.

However, these statistics do not take into account that those who scan their machines are interested if they are infected with rootkits. ' Customers and companies now have a big risk of privacy and security to worry about ,' Erasmus said. ' Rootkits are often undetectable and extremely difficult to destroy them. Rootkit detection and removal programs must be stronger than traditional anti-virus, anti-spyware and network security programs .

K.Hoa