malicious hardware

malicious hardware definition - computer

(1) A virus or other malicious software that is attached to a program pre-loaded on a computer or external hard drive.

(2) A CPU chip in a computer or handheld device that has a built-in back door, enabling an attacker to gain illegal entrance. Far more difficult than a software virus, it requires access to an assembly line or semiconductor fab in order to replace good parts with infected ones. See trapdoor.



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