What is a common symptom of rootkit infections?

Rootkits are a type of malicious software designed to gain unauthorized access to a computer system while hiding their presence. One of the most common symptoms of rootkit infections is the combination of decreased system performance and unusual network activity.

When a rootkit infects a system, it often utilizes system resources in ways that are not typical for legitimate applications. This can lead to noticeable slowdowns, causing the system to operate slower than usual. Activities that may normally happen in the background can become resource-intensive, resulting in a degradation of performance.

In addition to decreased performance, unusual network activity can also indicate a rootkit infection. Rootkits often establish backdoor channels for attackers, allowing them to communicate with the infected system without the user's knowledge. This can manifest as unexpected spikes in network traffic, connections to unknown external servers, or data being sent without the user's consent.

Recognizing both of these symptoms can be crucial for identifying potential rootkit infections early and taking the necessary steps to mitigate the threat.