Rootkits

Could someone tell me what a rootkit is.
Just done a scan and it came up with 5 it says they are hidden????

So how did it find them and are they likely to be dangerous?

 

They modify the very core, or the root if you like, of your operating system. This makes them very dangerous in terms of the integrity of your computer and the data on it. They used to be virtually impossible to remove too, but nowadays they're not that 'ard compared to the most up to date anti-malware programs, hence your detecting them, as they used to be virtually impossible to detect.

 

Thanks clueless, it says 6 are hidden in windows/system32/drivers.

But if I remove them will I also remove the file?
Its not removed them as a matter of course and wants me to highlight the affected file and the click remove.

 

OK, I'm now thinking that was a stupid question.

I've found I can remove them but need to do a restart.

 

Sounds like a bit of a pain. Was there an option to quarantine the affected files?

If not, then it may be necessary to run the Windows repair utility.

 

If you've removed them, you'll have to restart your machine for the changes to take effect, but, depending on what the files were, you may find some stuff doesn't work quite right. You may have to reinstall some device drivers, or run the Windows repair utility. Lets hope that neither is necessary because it can be a bit of a pain.

 

Yeah, I hope not.
That sounds a bit complicated.

 

On the two I have tried it says moved to virus vault

 

AVG has a "virus vault" I forgot all about it till you mentioned it. Just emptied mine, so thanks for that.

 

It is AVG watergarden that I'm using.

 

I take it that all is well now? I'm basing that assumption on the fact that you were still able to get onto the internet, so the PC is still working, but of course you might be on another machine.

 

Well not quite sure really clueless.
It moved two into the virus vault,it doesn't seem to want to do the same with the other four.

 

Just see how it goes I guess.

 

Yeah as long as the PC still works I'm not really bothered, but it did have me wondering.

Thanks for your help.