Cyberattacks are evolving fast, and one of the biggest threats on the horizon is ransomware that doesn’t just take over your files but could directly attack your computer’s processor.
Usually, ransomware blocks access to your files or system until you pay money to get control back. But in the future, attackers might go deeper and mess with your computer’s central processing unit (CPU) — the part that controls everything your computer does.
This new kind of attack could change how your CPU works by tampering with a hidden set of instructions inside the chip, called microcode. These instructions are installed by companies like Intel and AMD and can only be updated by them. They help your CPU run smoothly and securely. If criminals figure out how to replace this microcode with harmful code, they could take over your computer entirely.
Although this might sound like science fiction, it’s starting to become more real. Researchers recently found a way to insert custom code into an AMD processor by using a flaw. They managed to change how the CPU handles random numbers — a small change, but proof that deeper control is possible.
A cybersecurity expert from Rapid7 has even created a working example of this type of attack. While it’s not being shared publicly, it shows that this type of threat may not be far off. Once such ideas are out in the open, it’s only a matter of time before bad actors attempt to use them.
Some tools already exist that allow hackers to sneak malicious p
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