variants
or less commonly root kit
computers
: a malicious piece of software that grants a remote operator complete access to a computer system
Rootkits maliciously change a computer's operating system without a user's knowledge and then cover up their tracks. The hacker who installed the rootkit is then able to monitor the infected computer and use it to launch other attacks.—
Andrea Caumont
Andrea CaumontExamples of rootkit in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Krasue’s rootkit is drawn from public sources (3 open-source Linux Kernel Module rootkits), as is the case with many Linux rootkits.
—Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 8 Dec. 2023
During the initialization phase, the rootkit conceals its own presence.
—Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 8 Dec. 2023
Researchers so far have been unable to determine the entry point that allows the rootkit to get installed in the first place.
—Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 26 July 2022
Kaspersky detected the rootkit running on computers in China, Vietnam, Iran, and Russia.
—Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 26 July 2022
In internal testing, the company recreated the Drovorub rootkit.
—Matt Kimball, Forbes, 22 June 2021
An attacker could also infect the machine with a rootkit—malicious code that’s difficult or impossible to detect—that would run in system management mode until the next reboot.
—Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 14 Nov. 2020
Russia allegedly used Drovorub to plant backdoors; the versatile malware consisted of an implant, kernel module rootkit, file transfer and port forwarding tool, and command and control server.
—Brian Barrett, Wired, 15 Aug. 2020
Someone will modify checkra1n to remove the logo and install a rootkit instead.
—Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 15 Nov. 2019
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 8 Dec. 2023
During the initialization phase, the rootkit conceals its own presence.
—Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 8 Dec. 2023
Researchers so far have been unable to determine the entry point that allows the rootkit to get installed in the first place.
—Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 26 July 2022
Kaspersky detected the rootkit running on computers in China, Vietnam, Iran, and Russia.
—Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 26 July 2022
In internal testing, the company recreated the Drovorub rootkit.
—Matt Kimball, Forbes, 22 June 2021
An attacker could also infect the machine with a rootkit—malicious code that’s difficult or impossible to detect—that would run in system management mode until the next reboot.
—Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 14 Nov. 2020
Russia allegedly used Drovorub to plant backdoors; the versatile malware consisted of an implant, kernel module rootkit, file transfer and port forwarding tool, and command and control server.
—Brian Barrett, Wired, 15 Aug. 2020
Someone will modify checkra1n to remove the logo and install a rootkit instead.
—Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 15 Nov. 2019
Dictionary Entries Near rootkit
Cite this Entry
“Rootkit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rootkit. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share