Tried to define 'rootkit'

After being fiercely criticized for the rootkit scandal inside Norton SystemWorks, Symantec urgently called on the entire security industry to soon build a standard concept to define what "rootkits" are.

This move is similar to the previous Anti-Spyware Association (APC) attempting to build a conceptual function specific to spyware, as well as features to identify them.According to Symantec's development director, it is likely that this initiative will be submitted to IT-ISAC, a forum of security businesses and experts to create an open forum.

According to the prevailing concept, rootkits are a set of tools that hackers use to hide malicious files and software inside a loophole computer system.However, up to this point, people still argue strongly about whether it is possible to equate all software that uses the "concealment" trick as a rootkit.

The true meaning of Rootkit, an important reason for Symantec, is that this reputable security software company doesn't want to step back on Sony BMG Music's crash, not wanting to be considered a second Sony BMG.(The record company has secretly installed anti-piracy software - a type of rootkit into the marketed CDs.)

Experts agree that Sony's software is much more dangerous than Symantec's product, and Sony's original engine is just using this hidden trick to tighten digital rights management rather than win. Control of user computers.However, its nature is still very close to rootkits.

The most difficult thing now is based on what criteria to define rootkits, according to technical standards or in terms of social impact.

While Mark Russinovich, who became famous after shedding light on Sony's scandal rootkit, argued that "motivation" should not be taken into account, according to Symantec, if the software author had an intention Dark, their products were also able to rank as rootkits.

McAfee, another well-known security firm, also believes it is time to come up with a standard definition for rootkits, because the public is confused between Sony's case and the latest Symantec scandal.

While these kinds of efforts can be helpful for IT pro, in fact, in terms of universal users, it doesn't have much effect.Whether or not a standard definition will be difficult to change the way society uses it and refers to the term in a grim and apprehensive way.

Thien Y