Chkrootkit is a security tool that scans your Linux system for signs of a rootkit. Rootkits are malicious software designed to hide the existence of certain processes or programs from normal methods of detection and can be used by attackers to maintain access to a compromised system.
To install Chkrootkit on your Linux system, you can use the package manager specific to your distribution. For example:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install chkrootkit
sudo yum install chkrootkit
To run Chkrootkit, simply execute the following command in your terminal:
sudo chkrootkit
Chkrootkit will then perform a series of checks on your system and report any suspicious findings.
-q: Quiet mode. Only display warnings and errors.-x: Expert mode. Display detailed information about the tests being performed.-r <dir>: Use an alternate root directory. Useful for checking mounted filesystems.Chkrootkit will output a list of tests it performs and their results. If any tests return a “Warning” or “INFECTED” status, further investigation is required. It is important to note that false positives can occur, so cross-checking with other tools and methods is recommended.
Regularly running Chkrootkit as part of your security routine can help you detect and respond to potential rootkit infections promptly.