A rootkit is designed to aid in what type of access?

A rootkit is primarily designed to facilitate unauthorized administrative access to a computer system. It achieves this by embedding itself deep within the operating system, often gaining kernel-level privileges that allow it to operate undetected by standard security measures. This capability enables it to manipulate system operations, access sensitive data, and maintain a persistent presence even after system reboots or attempts to remove it.

This type of access is highly sought after by attackers because it allows them to control the system fully, making it possible to carry out various malicious activities without the knowledge of users or system administrators. Through the manipulation of security policies and logging mechanisms, rootkits can obscure their activities, effectively maintaining their foothold within the system while executing commands and unauthorized changes. This makes them one of the most dangerous types of malware, as they can disguise their presence and facilitate further exploitation of the system's resources or data.