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How to use Norton Rootkit Removal Tool?

A rootkit is a type of malware that’s been around even before the mass popularity of the Internet. A rootkit causes damage from the deepest parts of your computer’s processes and hence the name. After affecting the deepest parts, it will expand itself to run the attacks that it was originally developed to do. A rootkit has the capability to hide from the computer user. Apart from concealing itself, a rootkit can also hide other intrusions that follow it. It can adversely affect and damage a computer. It can even go to the extent of permitting a person to take control of your entire computer remotely. Let us see how to use Norton Rootkit Removal Tool to get rid of Rootkit.

Norton Rootkit Removal Tool

There are two main methods using which cybercriminals plant rootkits on a computer:

  • Exploit a vulnerability and then force the rootkit onto your computer.
  • Acquire the password of the target computer using social engineering.

Using subscription-based Antivirus software on your computer, you can detect rootkits. One such program is Norton 360. Norton 360 comes along with rootkit detection features and can find out such malware when it enters your computer. Yet another tool that automatically performs a rootkit scan on your computer is the Norton Power Eraser. You have the facility of running the Norton Power Eraser to scan for threats, even if you are having another Norton product or some other security software installed on your computer. In case you are unable to start your computer in the Normal mode, you can run Norton Power Eraser in the Safe mode.

To run Norton Power Eraser on your computer, make use of the steps given here:

  • Download Norton Power Eraser from the official site.
  • Next, press the Ctrl and the J keys at the same time to open the Downloads window on your computer.
  • Now, double-click the downloaded file.
  • In case the User Account Control dialog box pops up, click on the Yes or the Continue button.
  • Read the License Agreement and then click on the Accept button.
  • You can see the Norton Power Eraser window appear on your screen. In this window, click on the Scan for Risks icon.
  • Norton Power Eraser, by default, will perform a rootkit scan. You will have to perform a restart of your computer for this process.
  • When you come across the prompt to restart the computer, click on the Restart button.
  • NOTE: On the rare occasions when you do not wish to perform the rootkit scan, you can always go to Settings and then deselect the checkbox next to the Include Rootkit scan (requires a computer restart) option.
  • If you go ahead and restart your computer, the rootkit scan will begin automatically. Next, you just have to follow the rest of the on-screen instructions to remove the detected rootkit from your computer using Norton Rootkit Removal Tool .