F-Secure gets to the root of the problem

The latest threat to computer users can be invisible to conventional anti-virus and anti-spyware solutions.

This was the stark warning from security company, F-Secure as it launched a free tool that will search out the menaces known as Rootkit attacks that the company said have the potential to become a major problem.

A Rootkit is 'stealth' software that can hide malicious programs, such as viruses, Trojans, spyware and keyloggers. The problem is according to Patrik Runald, F-Secure's senior technology consultant is it can bypass conventional anti-virus and anti-spyware solutions.

Although upgraded security software should be able to detect an attack, Rootkits try to take advantage of unpatched PCs. Once the software is installed on a computer, even if security software is upgraded afterwards, the Rootkit continues to evade detection.

"These attacks pose a serious threat because they can hide their presence. They go much deeper into the operating system than other attacks and then manipulate the information sent by security software, effectively filtering themselves out of the search so they don't show up," he warned.

Patrick Runald warned Rootkit developers were already offering the software to other hackers and spammers. They are boasting that at the point of sale the software has not been detected by the security software developers so no protection has been developed.

While it may only take the anti virus and anti spyware companies a couple of hours to develop a fix once the Rootkit attack has been detected, by that time the malware with its malicious payload can have been spammed to millions of computers, some of which will inevitably be infected.

Malware that uses Rootkits to hide from conventional detection already exists, for example the Win-Spy, PC Spy and Invisible Keylogger spyware programs and viruses including Maslan and Padodor said F-Secure.

"We really don't know if it is a big problem yet,but once the hackers and others realise about this vulnerability, it could become really dangerous," said Patrik Runald.

F-Secure has now released what it said is the first Rootkit detection and elimination software that will combat this next-generation of 'stealth' viruses and spyware.

The free beta version of the software is only 450 Kb and can be downloaded here

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