Word of the Day: firmware

Word of the Day Daily updates on the latest technology terms |April 5, 2017

firmware Firmware is programming that's written to the non-volatile memory of a hardware device. Non-volatile memory is a form of static random access memory whose contents are saved when a hardware device is turned off or loses its external power source. Firmware, which is added at the time of manufacturing, is used to run user programs on the device and can be thought of as the software that allows hardware to run. Hardware makers use embedded firmware to control the functions of various hardware devices and systems, much like a computer's operating system controls the function of software applications. Firmware may be written into read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) or flash memory. The firmware that is embedded in flash memory chips can be updated easier than firmware written to ROM or EPROM, which makes it more adaptable. Today, embedded firmware exists in everything from smartphones to internet of things (IoT) devices so simply that you might not imagine they had computer control. While the firmware in a smart light bulb may not need frequent updates, the firmware on a smart thermostat may need to be updated periodically to remain compatible with smartphone operating system updates. Firmware updates are often issued to fix bugs, roll out new features and improve security. Some internet-capable devices regularly check for new firmware and automatically download and install it, while other device manufacturers require the user to visit the manufacturer's website, download firmware updates and install them manually. Quote of the Day "With firmware maintenance being considered an operations function rather than a security concern, the chance for exploited vulnerabilities persists." - Christos Dimitriadis   Trending Terms read-only memory microcode embedded firmware zero-day vulnerability Unified Extensible Firmware Interface over-the-air update   Learning Center How did firmware create an Android backdoor in budget devices? An Android backdoor in Ragentek firmware used in millions of budget devices could lead to man-in-the-middle attacks. Find out how the vulnerability works. Fast pace of IoT firmware updates challenges developers Frequent IoT firmware updates are a new reality for developers who must also now collaborate with mobile and back-end app developers. How to remove malware on Android devices that reinstalls itself Expert Nick Lewis explains how to permanently Android devices from the threat of malware that removes and reinstalls itself when a device powers on or off. Most businesses vulnerable to cyber attacks through firmware, study shows Company culture and overall attitude to security is a major contribution to vulnerability to cyber attack through firmware, a study by Isaca has revealed. Hardware security issues prove tough to find, harder to fix Hardware security flaws are emerging left and right, yet mitigating the threat is proving to be quite the information security challenge. Writing for Business The latest version of the server has a hypervisor _________ is embedded within the core system firmware. a. which b. that Answer       Stay In Touch For feedback about any of our definitions or to suggest a new definition, please contact me at: mrouse@techtarget.com   Visit the Word of the Day Archives and catch up on what you've missed!   FOLLOW US About This E-Newsletter This e-newsletter is published by the TechTarget network. To unsubscribe from Whatis.com, click here. Please note, this will not affect any other subscriptions you have signed up for. TechTarget, Whatis, 275 Grove Street, Newton, MA 02466. Contact: webmaster@techtarget.com Copyright 2016 TechTarget. All rights reserved.