Step 1: Is there a problem

In fact, it's easy for the assumed presence of a rootkit to have a placebo effect, leading you (or a user) to believe the computer is infected. The truth is, strange behavior could just as easily be legitimate programs doing their things.

To determine if there is truly a rootkit operating behind the scenes, use a system process analyzer such as Sysinternals' ProcessExplorer or, better yet, a network analyzer. By using these tools, you'll likely be surprised to find what programs are doing and what's going in and out of your network adapter. You may also discover that you simply have an over-taxed system running with too little memory or a severely fragmented hard drive. With that in mind, I recommend checking your system configuration and defragmenting your drive(s). Remember, though, that it's better to be safe than sorry, so run a rootkit scan as well.

Finding and removing a rootkit

 Home: Introduction
 Step 1: Is there a problem
 Step 2: Choose the right scanning tool
 Step 3: Clean up the mess
 Step 4: Bulletproof your efforts