What's Hidden in the BIOS That No One Pays Attention To?

Did you know that your computer's BIOS can hold more vital information and settings than you think? In this article, we explore the hidden aspects of the BIOS that few people delve into and how they can affect your system's performance and security.

Reading Time: 7 minutes Category: Cybersecurity

Why is the BIOS So Important?

BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is software that runs right after you turn on your computer, before the operating system (like Windows or Mac) starts. The BIOS is responsible for initializing the computer's hardware, identifying different components, and handing control over to the operating system. For this reason, the BIOS is a very important starting point for your system's security.

Hidden Treasures in the BIOS: What Are We Missing?

Most of us only open the BIOS to change the boot order or check the CPU temperature. But in reality, the BIOS has much more to offer.

1. Untouched Security Settings

Many motherboards have advanced security settings in the BIOS that are not enabled by default. For example:

Secure Boot: This feature helps ensure that only software verified by the manufacturer (OEM) is executed and prevents the system from booting through malicious software.
TPM (Trusted Platform Module): This is a hardware chip that can securely store encryption keys and sensitive information. Using TPM helps increase the security of the operating system and prevent unauthorized access.

2. Critical Updates

Keeping the BIOS (or UEFI, a newer version of BIOS) up to date is very important. Updates can fix security bugs, improve compatibility with new hardware, and improve overall system performance. Unfortunately, many users ignore this section and their system remains vulnerable to known vulnerabilities.

3. Power Management Settings

By manipulating Power Management settings in the BIOS, you can optimize your system's power consumption and increase your laptop's battery life. These settings allow you to control the power consumption of different components and put the system in low power mode when you don't need maximum performance.

Hidden Dangers: When the BIOS is Targeted by Cyber Attacks

Unfortunately, the BIOS can be the target of sophisticated cyber attacks. Firmware rootkit attacks can place malicious code in the BIOS. These types of attacks are very dangerous because they run before the operating system starts and can take complete control of the system. Identifying and removing this type of malware is very difficult. Preboot hacking attacks do the same thing, providing unauthorized access before the system boots.

How to Improve Your BIOS Security?

Update the BIOS: Always download and install the latest version of the BIOS from the motherboard manufacturer's website.
Enable Secure Boot: Enable this feature in the BIOS settings to prevent malicious software from booting.
Use TPM: If your motherboard supports TPM, enable it and take advantage of its security features.
Be careful about suspicious downloads: Avoid downloading and running untrusted files, as they may contain malware that infects your BIOS.

BIOS Secrets: Conclusion

The BIOS is a vital and often overlooked component of the computer. By better understanding the settings and potential risks, you can significantly improve the security and performance of your system. So the next time you turn on your computer, think a little more about the BIOS!

Alyvro

Alyvro

Alyvro

Alyvro