Quick Answer
The answer is chkrootkit and rkhunter. Both are specialized tools designed to detect rootkits on Linux by scanning for known signatures, hidden processes, and altered system binaries that indicate compromise. Chkrootkit checks for signs of rootkits by examining system commands and comparing them against a database of known malware, while rkhunter performs deeper analysis by verifying file hashes, checking for suspicious network activity, and scanning for backdoors. On the CompTIA Linux+ XK0-005 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between general security tools and those purpose-built for rootkit detection—a common trap is confusing them with log analyzers like logwatch or intrusion detection systems like Snort. A helpful memory tip: think of the “hunter” in rkhunter and the “kit” in chkrootkit as your two go-to tools for rooting out hidden threats.
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which TWO tools are specifically designed to detect rootkits on a Linux system?
lsof
Why wrong: Lists open files, not a rootkit detector.
rkhunter
Rootkit hunter tool.
netstat
Why wrong: Network statistics tool.
clamav
Why wrong: Antivirus, not rootkit-specific.
chkrootkit
Rootkit detection tool.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
rkhunter
B is correct because rkhunter (Rootkit Hunter) is a Unix-based tool that scans for rootkits, backdoors, and possible local exploits by comparing file hashes, checking for hidden processes, and analyzing system binaries for known rootkit signatures. It is specifically designed to detect rootkits on Linux systems.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
lsof
Why it's wrong here
Lists open files, not a rootkit detector.
rkhunter
Why this is correct
Rootkit hunter tool.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
netstat
Why it's wrong here
Network statistics tool.
clamav
Why it's wrong here
Antivirus, not rootkit-specific.
chkrootkit
Why this is correct
Rootkit detection tool.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may confuse general system monitoring tools (lsof, netstat) or general antivirus (ClamAV) with specialized rootkit detection tools, but only rkhunter and chkrootkit are explicitly designed for that purpose.
Detailed technical explanation
Rootkits often hide processes, files, or network connections from standard system utilities by hooking system calls or modifying kernel modules. Tools like rkhunter and chkrootkit detect these by comparing current system state against known good signatures, checking for hidden processes via /proc filesystem anomalies, and scanning for suspicious kernel modules or altered binaries. In a real-world scenario, a rootkit like 'Suckit' can hide its presence from ps and netstat, but rkhunter can detect it by checking for hidden file descriptors or unusual /proc entries.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
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FAQ
Security — This question tests Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: rkhunter — B is correct because rkhunter (Rootkit Hunter) is a Unix-based tool that scans for rootkits, backdoors, and possible local exploits by comparing file hashes, checking for hidden processes, and analyzing system binaries for known rootkit signatures. It is specifically designed to detect rootkits on Linux systems.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
This XK0-005 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the XK0-005 exam.
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