Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!lll-winken!iggy.GW.Vitalink.COM!widener!netnews.upenn.edu!vax1.cc.lehigh.edu!cert.sei.cmu.edu!krvw From: decomyn@phoenix.css.tek.com Newsgroups: comp.virus Subject: Re: Software Upgradable BIOS (PC) Message-ID: <0007.9105281329.AA07374@ubu.cert.sei.cmu.edu> Date: 24 May 91 05:38:55 GMT Sender: Virus Discussion List Lines: 26 Approved: krvw@sei.cmu.edu walker@aedc-vax.af.mil (William Walker C60223 x4570) writes: >Here's something that should make the anti-virus community cringe. >Intel has announced a chip which would allow users to upgrade their >BIOS using a floppy disk. The term I saw was "erasable programmable >read-only memory (EPROM)," but more likely the actual technology in >the chip is EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable ROM) or EAROM >(electrically alterable ROM). Intel is planning on using Flash EEPROM technology, but, as I understand it, with a twist -- The user will have to explicitly activate the reprogramming function by pressing a button, flipping a switch, or some similar physical function. Fortunately, since no forseeable virus technology will allow the little beasties to reach out and press a button, I don't believe there is that much to worry about in this technique. (I hope :-) >Bill Walker ( WALKER@AEDC-VAX.AF.MIL ) | >OAO Corporation | >Arnold Engineering Development Center | "I'd like to solve the puzzle, Pat" >M.S. 120 | >Arnold Air Force Base, TN 37389-9998 | Brendt Hess a.k.a. | Disclaimer: Opinions? I don't even work here! Vergil William de Comyn a.k.a. |----------------------------------------------- Payne Hirds | Life is not a zero-sum game: decomyn@phoenix.css.tek.com | don't treat it as such.