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Taedrin
Gallente White Haven Corp
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Posted - 2009.10.20 22:42:00 -
[1]
Just out of curiosity, is it possible for a computer virus to brick your motherboard by flashing the BIOS?
In the old days, if you wanted to update your BIOS, you had to copy the new BIOS to removable media, reboot your computer and run the motherboard's flash utility before the operating system was loaded.
Now, many motherboard manufacturers have created utilities which allow you to flash your motherboard from the operating system, without requiring a restart. The main advantage to this, besides convenience, is that if the flashing process somehow fails, you can try again without being screwed.
But this got me thinking - if it is now possible to alter the motherboard's BIOS via software, wouldn't it be theoretically possible for a computer virus to do the same? Granted, such a virus would only be able to target a specific motherboard mode. However, the potential damage that such a virus could cause is vast. Imagine the damage that this could cause, if suddenly, several million computers simply refused to POST successfully. ---------- There is always a choice. The choice might not be easy, nor simple, nor the options be what you desire - but, nevertheless, the choice is there to be made. |
Lt Forge
Pilots From Honour Aeternus.
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Posted - 2009.10.20 22:59:00 -
[2]
It's called reinstalling. _____________
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Trustworthy Joe
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Posted - 2009.10.20 23:03:00 -
[3]
i read the title of the OP and immediately thought of this
want a sig? thats great! post it in response to my posts!
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Benco97
Gallente
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Posted - 2009.10.20 23:04:00 -
[4]
Actually, it IS possible but it's not VIABLE as a vector of infection. I remember talking with my CEO about this a while back and I was sure you couldn't do it but he's worked in some huge IT centre and says it's possible. A quick google will also confirm.
Originally by: P'uck
You're a DUMBASS - bold italic underline at the VERY LEAST.
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Barakkus
Caelestis Iudicium
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Posted - 2009.10.20 23:45:00 -
[5]
While it is possible, most virus creators don't do it purely because destroying a computer is not the objective. They're usually out to steal your info and/or add your machine to one of their botnets/spamnets.
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Toshiro GreyHawk
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Posted - 2009.10.21 00:14:00 -
[6]
It's really hard to say exactly what you could do and what you couldn't. It could vary drastically with each specific motherboard, though it's possible some might well have common failings.
You used to be able to replace the bios chip itself. But I don't know if that's still possible.
It also depends on what kind of a state the mb falls back to depending on what happens with the bios and whether or not the thing can be made to post and then boot.
I've never blown a bios upgrade so ... it's hard to say.
I actually have a system that is down from a blown bios ... but it's so old (dual PIII 800) that I've not bothered to fix it. Now this system does post - it just comes up and says the bios is bad. I was going to download a new bios to a floppy and try to fix it that way but ... I just don't care enough about that system to do it. My next plans for that case are to use it for another computer where I'll probably upgrade everything but the floppy disk.
I guess to really answer your question someone would have to try and see what they got.
I don't think it's a question of could it be done so much as if you did it - what would be the results? For example, my system that has the blown bios - is smart enough to know the bios is bad, posting a message to that effect - and will boot from a floppy (I think ... haven't fooled with it in a could of years ...).
Orbiting vs. Kiting Faction Schools |
nahtoh
Caldari Vanguard Frontiers
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Posted - 2009.10.21 01:18:00 -
[7]
Not sure about bricking it, but there have been BIOS virues in the past. ========= "I am not saying there should be capital punishment for stupidity, but why can`t we just take the safety labels off everything and let the problem fix its self |
Akita T
Caldari Caldari Navy Volunteer Task Force
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Posted - 2009.10.21 01:57:00 -
[8]
Edited by: Akita T on 21/10/2009 01:58:14
Possible ? Yes. Practical ? Not really.
There HAVE been viruses that did exactly that, and some are still "in the wild". However, the specific infection mechanism is pretty easy to detect by just about any decent anti-virus software, and you'd probably have to compromise the antivirus software first (not impossible, but certainly harder). Also, it's one of the reasons nowadays a lot of mobo manufacturers have at least some motherboards with dual BIOS chip sets on them, with one of them as "backup" in case something really nasty happens to the first one requiring a more elaborate flashing method... or even things like a third non-reprogramable one with a clean (but older) BIOS version on it (somethimes the second set is like that, but not that commonly).
Also, worst case scenario, you just have to get the chip out and place a new/clean one (or just flash it in a clean machine with the same mobo/BIOS type). Minimal cost compared to a new mobo.
_
We are recruiting | Beginer's ISK making guide | Manufacturer's helper |
Kyden
Gallente Interstellar eXodus BricK sQuAD.
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Posted - 2009.10.26 07:52:00 -
[9]
Whats this Br1ck you speak of? [url=http://roadkill.igs-corp.net/?a=pilot_detail&plt_id=41343] [/url] |
Pr1ncess Alia
Caldari Perkone
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Posted - 2009.10.26 09:59:00 -
[10]
as was said, it is possible. viruses have done this, i've heard of malicious software able to spin a HD till the motor burns, overload voltage on a CPU
the last i heard ppl talking about a hardware virus was the late 90's /early 00's
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Siigari Kitawa
Gallente The Aduro Protocol
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Posted - 2009.10.26 10:06:00 -
[11]
The better question is "Is it possible to delete your windows boot loader by installing Eve?"
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Marko Riva
Adamant Inc.
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Posted - 2009.10.26 12:48:00 -
[12]
Couple of years ago there was indeed a virus that did this, but only to certain types of BIOSes and it never really "caught on".
On the whole flashing part etc? Don't fix what isn't broke, don't just update your BIOS simply because there's a new one and if at all possible use the ageold bootdiskette dos option.
----------- ADM-I |
ReaperOfSly
Gallente Heavens Gate Consortium Distant Drums
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Posted - 2009.10.26 21:01:00 -
[13]
You could theoretically get a virus which over-writes your BIOS to overvolt the northbridge or CPU, but most motherboards have failsafes which reset the BIOS if this happens. ____________________
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karma militia
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Posted - 2009.10.27 00:38:00 -
[14]
lol, guess what happened when i clicked this thread...
got the chrome red warning page
Quote: Warning: Visiting this site may harm your computer! The website at www.eveonline.com contains elements from the site www.quafeultra.com, which appears to host malware
Originally by: Corwain
The human race is going extinct soon and you all ****ing deserve it.
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Grimpak
Gallente Noir. Noir. Mercenary Group
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Posted - 2009.10.27 00:45:00 -
[15]
Originally by: Siigari Kitawa The better question is "Is it possible to delete your windows boot loader by installing Eve?"
---
Quote: The more I know about humans, the more I love animals.
ain't that right. |
Dan O'Connor
Endless Gig
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Posted - 2009.10.27 10:57:00 -
[16]
Originally by: Siigari Kitawa The better question is "Is it possible to delete your windows boot loader by installing Eve?"
Has happened with a patch. 'Nuff said. ---
Chuck Norris would join ENDLESS∞GIG. So can you. |
Neyro7830
Gallente The 5th Freedom Wildly Inappropriate.
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Posted - 2009.10.27 11:09:00 -
[17]
Originally by: Benco97 Actually, it IS possible but it's not VIABLE as a vector of infection.
Seconding, as most competent mobo manufacturers have a dual BIOS setup, in case one BIOS is corrupted it reverts to a previously functioning BIOS on the other chip. Gigabyte does this. Also, as far as I know Gigabyte is also the only one who has a software based In-OS flash utility (@BIOS).
<3 Gigabyte Oh god how did this get here I am not good with computer |
Lord Windu
Echelon Warfare Unit
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Posted - 2009.10.27 11:21:00 -
[18]
Originally by: Trustworthy Joe i read the title of the OP and immediately thought of this
OMG I never knew they could do that, my last post as about to take my computer to a field and bury it, thanx for the heads up. o/ ------
In Before Kanye West |
Gaborelle
Gallente Final Conflict UK Warped Aggression
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Posted - 2009.10.27 17:01:00 -
[19]
i doubt a virus killed your motherboard
it probable that u either
1. messed up a bios update or 2. something has blown on the board.
if its a bios update fail try a cmos reset and use your bios recovery disk
if its a blown component on the motherboard time to buy a new board
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