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Firmware hacks usually take advantage of the firmware update facility on many devices to install or run themselves. Some, however, must resort to exploits to run, because the manufacturer has attempted to lock the hardware to stop it from running unlicensed code. Most firmware hacks are free software.
Embedded software is computer software, written to control machines or devices that are not typically thought of as computers, commonly known as embedded systems. It is typically specialized for the particular hardware that it runs on and has time and memory constraints. [1] This term is sometimes used interchangeably with firmware. [2]
In the context of free and open-source software, proprietary software only available as a binary executable is referred to as a blob or binary blob.The term usually refers to a device driver module loaded into the kernel of an open-source operating system, and is sometimes also applied to code running outside the kernel, such as system firmware images, microcode updates, or userland programs.
UEFI requires the firmware and operating system loader (or kernel) to be size-matched; that is, a 64-bit UEFI firmware implementation can load only a 64-bit operating system (OS) boot loader or kernel (unless the CSM-based legacy boot is used) and the same applies to 32-bit.
Open Firmware was an early attempt to make an open specification for boot firmware. It was initially endorsed by IEEE in its IEEE 1275-1994 standard but was withdrawn in 2005. [ 70 ] [ 71 ] Later examples include the OpenBIOS , coreboot and libreboot projects.
The integrated circuit is an essential invention to produce modern software systems. [2]The first use of the word software to describe computer programs is credited to mathematician John Wilder Tukey in 1958. [3]
Custom firmware, also known as aftermarket firmware, is an unofficial new or modified version of firmware created by third parties on devices such as video game consoles, mobile phones, and various embedded device types to provide new features or to unlock hidden functionality.
On smartphones, tablets, and other devices, an over-the-air update is a firmware or operating system update that is downloaded by the device over the internet. Previously, users had to connect these devices to a computer over USB to perform an update. These updates may add features, patch security vulnerabilities, or fix software bugs.