Sophos Releases Free Anti-Rootkit Scanner

A U.K. security vendor on Wednesday released a freeware anti-rootkit software that finds and removes rootkits that are hidden on Windows computers.

"Rootkits are being increasingly used by hackers to hide a variety of criminal activities, including spyware designed to steal usernames and passwords, denial-of-service attacks, and spam campaigns," said Phil Wood, Sophos product manager. "But many users don't appear to know what a rootkit is, and may be oblivious to the threat. Windows users need to wise-up to the latest tricks, and have the tools in place to protect themselves."

Sophos isn't the first security firm to release a rootkit scanner. Finnish F-Secure posted its BlackLight in 2005, and US-based security vendor Webroot added rootkit detection to the enterprise version of its Spy Sweeper anti-spyware software.

Sophos Anti-Rootkit works on Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003. To download the software please follow this link.