chkrootkit

Check a system for known rootkits.

KaliParrotLinuxpassive

pkg: chkrootkit

chkrootkit scans a Linux host for signs of known rootkits and trojaned binaries.

Syntax

chkrootkit

Example

sudo chkrootkit

Runs all rootkit checks against the local system.

Advantages
  • Quick rootkit triage
  • No setup
Disadvantages
  • Signature-based (misses new)
  • False positives
Tags
#rootkit#ir

Official docs: chkrootkit

Related commands

Frequently asked questions

What is chkrootkit used for?
chkrootkit scans a Linux host for signs of known rootkits and trojaned binaries.
What is an example chkrootkit command?
A common example is: sudo chkrootkit — Runs all rootkit checks against the local system.
Is chkrootkit part of Kali Linux?
Yes. chkrootkit ships with Kali Linux (and Parrot OS). If missing, install it with: sudo apt install chkrootkit.
What category of security tool is chkrootkit?
chkrootkit is a Forensics tool with a passive-risk profile when run against a live target.

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