What is process persistence?

Definition

Process persistence uses startup mechanisms, supervisors, scheduled tasks, replicated state, or other techniques to keep software available. Legitimate services use persistence for reliability, while unauthorized processes use it to survive cleanup and retain access.

Detection requires visibility across machines and lifecycle events rather than one process snapshot. Strong access controls, signed deployments, inventory, and alerts for unexpected respawning help distinguish approved resilience from compromise.

Frequently asked questions

How can a process remain persistent?

It can use service managers, startup hooks, scheduled execution, replicated state, or another process that recreates it after termination.

Is process persistence always malicious?

No. Reliable services need persistence, but an unapproved process that survives removal or crosses machines is a security concern.

Videos explaining process persistence