Rootkits are mainly invented on UNIX platform Computer but they do not evolve and attack Windows computers in the last few years. The term rootkit arrives from the fact that the program might gain administrative rights on the UNIX system and then hide all traces of the program so that it may work behind the scenes without detected any one of them. On Windows systems, rootkits are being used by spyware, adware, viruses, Trojans, and other Malware for hiding the system processes where the work is been undetected. Slow running of computers, unwanted popup ads, redirection of websites and search can all be signs of a rootkit. However it takes special software to detect them. Since rootkits are designed to hide from users they also hide from most antivirus and antispyware software. This is why many of the antivirus makers and other companies have produced special rootkit removal tools in the last few years. The general rule of thumb is if you are still having misc. issues including blue screens, system slowdowns, and other problems and none of your virus and spyware tools have detected a problem, you might have a rootkit. Many of those electronic greeting card spams that you may have seen in the last few months have contained rootkits. The spam needing you to download "Microsoft Data Access" to view the electronic card contained a rootkit, and without special software to analyze the computer the rootkit stayed undetected. Sony had a terrible public relations fiasco with rootkits awhile back as well, and is still under scrutiny because of their MicroVault USM-F software used for fingerprint-reading flash drives. So if you think you have been infected with a rootkit or simply want to scan your system for one use the list below to read about and download a rootkit removal tool.