Home Malware Programs Rootkits Rootkit.Agent/Gen-Local

Rootkit.Agent/Gen-Local

Posted: June 3, 2011

Rootkit.Agent/Gen-Local is a common false positive infection alert that's created by certain brands of anti-virus programs. In a lesser amount of cases, Rootkit.Agent/Gen-Local can also be a real rootkit that threatens your computer's security. Rootkits are designed to obscure themselves while enabling a variety of attacks like malicious software downloads, enabling remote attacks or stealing personal information. You should utilize high-quality and updated anti-virus programs to determine whether Rootkit.Agent/Gen-Local is a threat or a false positive and use the standard provided deletion or exception options as appropriate.

The Fake Rootkit.Agent/Gen-Local You Can Relax About

Rootkit.Agent/Gen-Local has been known to occur as a mistaken threat detection in a variety of circumstances, with most false positives being caused by the SUPERAntiSpyware program. Keeping your security programs updated for the latest threats will minimize false positive Rootkit.Agent/Gen-Local occurrences. Using multiple brands to identify threats will help you confirm or debunk a potential false positive.

False positive Rootkit.Agent/Gen-Local results have been noted to occur in certain types of wireless mouse software and in Poodwaddle brand applications, particularly calender executable files.

You needn't worry about deleting the offending program from your PC if you've confirmed that the Rootkit.Agent/Gen-Local result is a false positive. Instead, simply set the files that trigger Rootkit.Agent/Gen-Local alerts to be treated as exceptions by your security scanners.

The Real Rootkit.Agent/Gen-Local Peril

Although most recent Rootkit.Agent/Gen-Local alerts are false positives, Rootkit.Agent/Gen-Local is also a genuine albeit generic name for certain rootkits. Rootkits alter the Windows Registry to inject themselves into native memory processes. A real Rootkit.Agent/Gen-Local infection can avoid being detected by doing this while Rootkit.Agent/Gen-Local causes attacks like:

  • Rootkit.Agent/Gen-Local may monitor confidential information like passwords and online banking data, only to send that information out to anonymous criminals.
  • Rootkit.Agent/Gen-Local may also attack your security by creating exceptions in your firewall or disabling your firewall and security programs. Even basic Windows tools like Task manager can be disabled.
  • Your computer may be controlled remotely due to Rootkit.Agent/Gen-Local installing or serving as a Remote Administration Tool. RAT-based attacks often recruit computers into illegal activities like DDoS attacks.
  • Last of all, Rootkit.Agent/Gen-Local may download and install malicious programs without your permission, including any number of other rootkits, Trojans, worms, viruses and other threats.

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