Rootkits

“A rootkit is a software program or coordinated set of programs designed to gain control over a computer system or network of computing systems without being detected.”

  Rootkits are the scourge of all computer technicians and their customers.

This is the means by which your infection keeps coming back even after full scans and manual infection removal. This program can hide files so well that even windows won’t know they exist!

If the rootkit is so new that antivirus companies are unaware of them, it is possible the infection can only be removed by way of full system format. As stated above, they can be so elaborate that even after you do all the scans in the world, hidden files will not only slip through, but they will re-infect your system.

If you think you have a rootkit, I personally recommend that you call a technician as soon as possible if all other scans have failed. We have a very high success rate with these nasty infections, and the sooner you call the easier it is to avoid extreme measures.

Brad Button

Trojan

“Trojan horses are designed to allow a Hacker remote access to a target computer system.”

  Trojan is another word used often as blanket term for malware or a virus. This sneaky program does not replicate itself like a virus. It’s not the malware you will eventually see from this infection.

When I come across Trojans they are typically used as the doorway that serious infections use to get in your computer. For instance, you may click the wrong pop-up, which then infects you with a Trojan - Usually by way of a scare tactic, system optimizer, or error fixing program.  Once installed, it lets a remote system know you are vulnerable to attack by the main infection. Preventing or removing this threat can mean the difference between an infection that requires a tech and a simple scan with your antivirus and/or malware removal program.

If your antivirus detects and reports a Trojan to you I always recommend you stop what you are doing. Save and close your current work and do a full system scan.

 Brad Button

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This

This is an example of a an email you want to check out before you click (like we discussed in this post) This potential phishing email is telling you that someone wants to be your friend. It’s not from a bank like our last example talked about, it actually looks like it’s coming from a online community that you (supposedly) belong to.

But do you know who this is? Do you recognize the site that sent you this friend request? Probably not. I received this email and I have never heard of this ‘community’ or ‘friend’.

See the blue bubble box that is teling you that you have to click? Remember – You never have to click!

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