Hi All,
I have been following the Sony rootkit fiasco since it was initally reported (
http://www.sysinternals.com/) and the developments since. The abovestated site has a good summary.
Sony was interviewed by NPR (
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4989260) and they had an amazing viewpoint --- the executive said (listen to the audio file - amazing!) - that as most people do not know what a root kit is, they should not worry about it!
I have been using Avast now for almost 2 years (great program), but I also have to agree with SonWon in regards to all his previous posts (quite obvious actually).
I was startled that there was not even an annoucement on the AVAST web site in regards to the Sony rootkit issue.
Yes, I agree with the fact that the anti-virus program may not be able to detect it (initally) on installation, BUT once the code of the rootkit has been established, I would have thought AVAST would be able to at least disable the 'cloaking' element (so other files and viruses can not hide in the $sys$ directory that the rootkit creates). Or at least Avast could place an announcement on the website with links to other sites that could help.
Pat.