Sophos Updates Its Anti-Rootkit to Support x64 Systems, Including Windows 7
Sophos, company that specializes in providing anti-spam, spyware removal, data protection and other security software solutions, announced that it has updated its anti-rootkit offering. The aptly named Sophos Anti-Rootkit can be downloaded right away free of charge – which is a good thing as it will scan, detect and remove rootkit hidden on your computer.
Senior Technology Consultant with Sophos, Graham Cluley, comments: “Sophos Anti-Rootkit is, judging by our download stats, one of our most popular free tools. I'm delighted to say that we have now updated our free rootkit detection and removal tool to support 64-bit versions of Windows and the upcoming Windows 7.”
A rootkit is a software system made up of a program or a program combo meant to perform one simple task: hide the fact that the system has been compromised. An anti-rootkit is a security software solution that will detect a rootkit and eliminate it. According to Graham Cluley, Sophos detects and analyzes plenty of rootkits – most of them are for Windows XP and do not work with the next iteration of the Widnows-based operating system, Windows 7.
A few proof-of-concept rootkits that work with Windows 7 x64 have been presented at the Black Hat conference – they disable or circumvent the secure driver download system. At this moment in time, no rootkits targeting Vista x64 or XP x64 have been detected in the wild.
“So, at the moment the rootkit threat on these platforms is not huge - but I reckon many of you would prefer to have a product ready in case you need it, rather than bumbling around looking for one when you have a possible emergency on your hands,” added Cluley. “Remember, you don't have to be an existing Sophos customer to use Sophos Anti-Rootkit. It can be run alongside any other computer security product you might be using if you want to double-check that there isn't a rootkit lurking somewhere on your system.”
If you would like to get Sophos Anti-Rootkit, a download location is available here.
Senior Technology Consultant with Sophos, Graham Cluley, comments: “Sophos Anti-Rootkit is, judging by our download stats, one of our most popular free tools. I'm delighted to say that we have now updated our free rootkit detection and removal tool to support 64-bit versions of Windows and the upcoming Windows 7.”
A rootkit is a software system made up of a program or a program combo meant to perform one simple task: hide the fact that the system has been compromised. An anti-rootkit is a security software solution that will detect a rootkit and eliminate it. According to Graham Cluley, Sophos detects and analyzes plenty of rootkits – most of them are for Windows XP and do not work with the next iteration of the Widnows-based operating system, Windows 7.
A few proof-of-concept rootkits that work with Windows 7 x64 have been presented at the Black Hat conference – they disable or circumvent the secure driver download system. At this moment in time, no rootkits targeting Vista x64 or XP x64 have been detected in the wild.
“So, at the moment the rootkit threat on these platforms is not huge - but I reckon many of you would prefer to have a product ready in case you need it, rather than bumbling around looking for one when you have a possible emergency on your hands,” added Cluley. “Remember, you don't have to be an existing Sophos customer to use Sophos Anti-Rootkit. It can be run alongside any other computer security product you might be using if you want to double-check that there isn't a rootkit lurking somewhere on your system.”
If you would like to get Sophos Anti-Rootkit, a download location is available here.
