rootkit
noun
root·kit
| \ ˈrüt-ˌkit
, ˈru̇t-\
, ˈru̇t-\
variants:
or less commonly root kit
Definition of rootkit
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
Examples of rootkit in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The attackers could then steal encryption keys and user data, install rootkits and erase logs that recorded the unauthorized access. — Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, "Trivial authentication bypass in libssh leaves servers wide open," 17 Oct. 2018 K7 Ultimate Security also has a rootkit scanning option. — Ian Paul, PCWorld, "K7 Ultimate Security review: Simple yet sophisticated," 28 Aug. 2018 Among them is Shielded VMs, a feature of Google Cloud Platform that protects virtual machines from the installation of rootkits and other persistent malware, as well as other attacks that could result in data theft. — Sean Gallagher, Ars Technica, "Google launches “Shielded VMs” to protect cloud servers from rootkits, data theft," 25 July 2018 The rootkit was first discovered by 360 Security Center. — Brooke Crothers, Fox News, "The malware that infected the world reinvents itself," 31 Aug. 2018 Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of computers continued to run Sony’s spyware along with a rootkit that made these systems more vulnerable to other viruses. — Kendall Hoyt, Slate Magazine, "What Biosecurity and Cybersecurity Research Have in Common," 17 Mar. 2017 Consider what happened in 2005, when Sony BMG started selling CDs laden with the notorious Sony rootkit, software designed to covertly prevent people from copying music files. — Cory Doctorow, WIRED, "How Laws Restricting Tech Actually Expose Us to Greater Harm," 24 Dec. 2014These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rootkit.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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