Skip to main content

Dell’s new security feature protects your system from the second it boots up

As far as modern cyber security has come, it’s still tricky to protect a system before it boots up. The UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface, still commonly referred to as a BIOS) that launches before the OS is vulnerable to malware, too, and often reinstalling the OS or even replacing the hard drive won’t rid the system of infection. Dell has a new plan to protect that essential part of any system called , and it’s actually pretty simple, according to PCWorld.

During the bootup process, the system grabs a snapshot of the UEFI using a method called SHA (Secure Hash Algorithm.) The algorithm converts the entire image of the UEFI into a long code, or hash, which can be compared to other hashes without exposing the actual data inside. This hash is stored temporarily in the SRAM of the machine, a part of the CPU cache not normally accessible to software, and sent securely to Dell’s servers, where it’s checked against a hash of the verified UEFI. If the two codes match, the system boots normally without sending an error report.

Recommended Videos

If a discrepancy between the two versions is found, however, the system automatically reports back to Dell, and in turn Dell alerts the IT company associated with the affected machine. It doesn’t actually plug the hole or stop the device from booting, as it doesn’t match the data until after the OS launches, but raising a red flag allows an IT professional to come resolve the issue. Unfortunately, that still involves shutting the system down and flashing clean firmware by hand, but Dell is working towards the automation of that process as well.

There’s already one system in place on enterprise computers for protecting the UEFI, called Microsoft Measured Boot, that uses a Trusted Platform Module. The TPM is built into some systems and smartphones, with its own microprocessor that verifies the system’s BIOS settings to only launch verified firmware. This method requires actual hardware to be installed inside the system, however, to create an isolated layer, so it has to be included from the start.

BIOS verification is more important in enterprise situations than in personal use, although it’s a feature that Dell will make available on Precision, OptiPlex, and XPS PCs, as well as Venue Pro tablets. BIOS verification will join a number of other features in Dell’s Endpoint suite, which provides spyware removal, anti-virus, firewall, and browser security from end to end in enterprise setups. It will cost extra to protect a system’s UEFI from malware, and there’s no word yet on exactly how much or when the feature will actually roll out.

Brad Bourque
Brad Bourque is a native Portlander, devout nerd, and craft beer enthusiast. He studied creative writing at Willamette…
A coding blunder just ruined a moment of joy for lottery winners
Eurojackpot lottery slips.

Imagine the joy of being notified of a huge lottery win. What would be the first thing you’d do? Get the champagne in? Book a fancy vacation? Call your boss and tell him where to go?

And then imagine being informed that the notification had, in fact, been sent in error. Well, you can always send the booze back and cancel the holiday, but trying to convince your boss that you were just joking ... well, that may be a bigger challenge.

Read more
This TP-Link Wi-Fi 6 router is 45% off in early Prime Day deal
The TP-Link AX1800 Archer AX21 Wi-FI 6 Router on a white background.

If you're planning to buy a new router to improve your home's Wi-Fi network, the good news is that you don't have to wait for Prime Day 2025 to take advantage of huge discounts on router deals from Amazon. Here's an excellent offer — the TP-Link Archer AX21 with an eye-catching 45% discount, which drops its price from $100 to just $55. The $45 in savings will only be available for a limited time though, so you better act fast and proceed with your purchase immediately as this early Prime Day deal may disappear at any moment.

Buy Now

Read more
Watch these AI humanoid robots play soccer like Mbappé … sort of
Humanoid robots playing soccer.

Watching these humanoid robots battle it out on the soccer field, you quickly realize that Kylian Mbappé and his fellow professionals really have little to worry about. At least, for now.

The footage (top) was captured last week in Beijing at the RoBoLeague World Robot Soccer League, China's first-ever three-on-three humanoid robot soccer league.

Read more