Filed under: Security, Windows, Symantec

Symantec falls into its own rootkit debacle

Symantec
Norton SystemWorksSony BMG isn't the only company using rootkits to hide files on its customers computers. eWeek is reporting that Symantec's Norton SystemWorks software installs a rootkit that "could provide the perfect hiding place for attackers to place malicious files on computers." Symantec claims that the rootkit hides files from Windows in order to "stop customers from accidentally deleting files," but have moved quickly to avoid a Sony-like fiasco by ironically issuing a security alert for its own product ("Risk Impact: Low") and issuing a LIveUpdate that makes the hidden files visible.