Windows Rootkits: Attacks and Countermeasures

Abstract

Windows XP is the dominant operating system in the world today and root kits have been a major concern for XP users. This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the root kits that target that operating system, while focusing on those that use various hooking techniques to hide malware on a machine. We identify some of the weaknesses in the Windows XP architecture that root kits exploit and then evaluate some of the anti-root kit security features that Microsoft has unveiled in Vista and 7. To reduce the number of root kit infections in the future, we suggest that Microsoft should take full advantage of Intel's four distinct privilege levels.