Avast Anti-Rootkit

Overview

Avast Anti-Rootkit was a free rootkit detection and removal tool developed by Avast Software. It was designed to scan for and eliminate hidden rootkits that traditional antivirus programs might miss. The tool was later integrated into the full Avast Antivirus suite, making it unavailable as a standalone product.

Features

Detects and removes rootkits hidden within the operating system.
Scans critical areas such as the Master Boot Record (MBR) and kernel hooks.
Provides detailed reports on detected threats.
Works as a portable tool without requiring installation.
Integrated into later versions of Avast Antivirus.

Compatibility

Avast Anti-Rootkit was compatible with:

Windows XP
Windows Vista
Windows 7

The standalone tool has been discontinued and is now part of Avast Antivirus.

Usage

Download Avast Anti-Rootkit from a trusted source (when available).
Run the executable as an administrator (no installation required).
Start the scan and allow the tool to analyze the system.
Review detected threats and remove malicious rootkits.
Restart the system to apply changes.

Pros & Cons

Pros

✔ Effective at detecting stealth rootkits.
✔ Portable and does not require installation.
✔ Free to use.

Cons

✘ Discontinued as a standalone tool.
✘ Requires manual interpretation of scan results.
✘ Now only available as part of Avast Antivirus.

Alternative Software

GMER – Advanced rootkit detection tool.
TDSSKiller – Rootkit removal tool from Kaspersky.
Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit – A free tool for detecting and removing rootkits.

Developer

Company: Avast Software
Status: Discontinued (Integrated into Avast Antivirus)

External Links

Avast Official Website
(No standalone download available)