Panda Anti-Rootkit

Panda Software has released a free anti-rootkit program that you can use to scan for and remove those nasty rootkits. Panda Anti-Rootkit has a simple, clean interface and updates itself before it scans your computer for those nefarious bits of malware that can hide themselves from your antivirus programs. It even has command-line options that can be utilized to automate scans (perfect for corporate networks).

Sysinternals' Mark Russinovich released the first anti-rootkit tool called Rootkit Revealer (Microsoft has since acquired Sysinternals). Rootkits have become more of a security concern as malicious hackers have slipped their damaging code onto more computers via deceptive e-mail attachments and malicious web sites. Rootkit technology allows a hacker to hide malicious files and programs from antivirus scanners and from the operating system itself. This has exacerbated the problem of hackers remotely controlling massive fleets of "zombie" computers and using them to attack other computers or send spam. More security software companies are developing anti-rootkit technology into their security programs, and Panda's latest Anti-Rootkit program is another welcomed tool in the fight against malware. (Sources: Panda Software, Press Release, PC Magazine)