What type of malware grants administrative privileges to an external hacker?

A rootkit is a type of malware specifically designed to stealthily gain administrative privileges on a computer or network, enabling an attacker to control the system without being detected. This capability makes rootkits particularly dangerous, as they can modify system files and processes, allowing hackers to maintain access and execute commands as if they were the legitimate user.

Rootkits often conceal their presence and the presence of other malicious software, making them difficult to detect and remove. Once installed, a rootkit can enable various forms of attacks and facilitate deeper penetration into the system, ultimately compromising sensitive information and overall system integrity.

In contrast, Trojans, worms, and viruses operate differently. Trojans disguise themselves as legitimate software to trick users into installing them but do not inherently grant administrative privileges. Worms self-replicate and spread across networks without needing to attach to host files, while viruses infect and spread through other executable files but do not specifically aim to provide administrative access. Each of these malware types serves different purposes but lacks the specialized functionality that rootkits possess for escalating privileges.