Exam CISSP topic 1 question 243 discussion

From the CISSP Official Study guide - "Several rootkit-detection tools are available, some of which are able to remove known rootkits. However, once you suspect a rootkit is on a system, the only truly secure response is to reconstitute or replace the entire computer. Reconstitution involves performing a thorough storage sanitization operation on all storage devices on that system, reinstalling the OS and all applications from trusted original sources, and then restoring files from trusted rootkit-free backups. Obviously, the best protection against rootkits is defense (i.e., don't get infected in the first place) rather than response."

Rootkits are malicious software programs that can hide themselves and other malware from detection on a computer system. They can be difficult to detect and remove, and often require a complete reinstallation of the system from trusted sources in order to completely eliminate the infection. This is considered the most effective measure for dealing with rootkit attacks, as it ensures that the entire system is clean and free from malware. Other options, such as restoring the system from a backup or finding and replacing altered binaries with legitimate ones may not completely remove the malware and might not guarantee a complete eradication of the rootkit.

If antivirus software and a boot-time scan fail to remove the rootkit, try backing up your data, wiping your device, and performing a clean install. This is sometimes the only remedy when a rootkit is operating at the boot, firmware, or hypervisor level. https://www.avast.com/c-rootkit