Information Warfare: Phlashing To Victory

Archives

June 2,2008: A new weapon is now available for Cyber Warriors, one that enables you to damage hardware over the Internet. This is something new, and it's called Phlashing (flashing, as in changing the firmware, or computer code in chips on your motherboard, controller cards or other hardware). This is now possible with more modern computer equipment, designed to have its firmware updated over the net. Previously, you had to "flash" those computer chips from the machine that contained them. While there are security features in hardware that is supposed to prevent this kind of vandalism, there are some flaws which enable hackers to flash destructively. Phlashing code has already been developed by security researchers and hackers. Phlashing attacks are more difficult than most other kinds of hacking, but it's a sign of things to come, and another way for Cyber War to mess you up.

X

ad

Help keep us a float!

Your support helps us keep our ship a float. We appreciate anyway you chose to help out. Visit us daily, subscribe, donate, and tell your friends.

You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  2. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
  3. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on X.
Subscribe   Contribute   Close