The purpose of a rootkit is to gain privileged access to a device while concealing itself from detection by system administrators or security software.
A rootkit is a type of malicious software that is designed to enable an attacker to take control of a device and maintain persistent access to it. A rootkit can be used to hide the presence of other malware or to disguise its own activities, making it difficult for security software to detect or remove it.
A rootkit typically operates at the kernel level of the operating system, which gives it full access to the device’s resources and allows it to perform privileged operations, such as installing or uninstalling software, modifying system files, or monitoring user activity.
Some common techniques used by rootkits to conceal their presence include modifying system calls, hooking into device drivers or system services, or using encryption to hide their data or communications.
Rootkits are considered one of the most sophisticated and dangerous types of malware, as they can evade detection by traditional antivirus software and remain hidden on a device for extended periods of time, allowing attackers to steal sensitive information, launch further attacks, or use the device as part of a larger botnet.