neeosearch Difference Between BIOS and UEFI is traditionally the first thing that runs is the Basic Input / Output System (BIOS). Then comes the operating system and finally the applications we have in our computer a couple of years ago began to use the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI).
Difference Between BIOS and UEFI
It was developed in collaboration with more than 140 companies with the aim of improving the interoperability of
software and fix BIOS limitations, including security is. Therefore, it is interesting to know the differences
between BIOS and UEFI and their characteristics, to know what is the best way to protect yourself.
BIOS and UEFI: Controlling Firmware System
- For starters, it is important to clarify that the firmware is a piece of code stored in a memory in a ROM is used to set the instructions that control the operations of the circuits of a device.
- This code component is integrated into the hardware device but can be modified through external orders in order to keep it updated and running according to the specific requirements of the system.
- The primary function of the BIOS is to initialize the components of hardware and launch the operating system. In addition, with its load other important functions such as energy management and thermal management are initialized.
- Moreover, the UEFI can be loaded into any resource nonvolatile memory, which allows it to be independent of any operating system. Due to these characteristics, it has the same features as BIOS, but with additional features.
Since BIOS initializes the system, there are some fundamental characteristics associated with its implementation:
- You can execute code to verify the integrity of all components of the firmware before running and launch the operating system.
- Try the key components of hardware on the computer to ensure that all information loaded correctly and does not create problems on the information.
- Controls additional modules such as video card or card local area network, among other devices.
- Select the boot device that can be the hard drive, a CD or a USB device.
The UEFI boot process has similar features, but the difference is that the code runs in 32 – or 64-bit protected mode in the CPU, not in 16 – bit mode as is often the case BIOS. In the case of Windows 8 already know how to activate the UEFI and Secure Boot mode, which gives us an additional level of protection in our system.
Among the additional features of UEFI is the reduction in the start time and resume, and has a process that helps prevent the type of attacks boot-kit and use the Secure Boot mode. These are some of the reasons could replace UEFI BIOS in the system boot computers.
Difference Between BIOS and UEFI
As the first piece of code executed by a device is either of these two standards should be considered as a safety-critical component. In fact, manage security in the BIOS allows strengthening the equipment from power. As has detected a potential vulnerability that affects the UEFI Secure Boot mode, it is important to have some safety recommendations that help us to raise safety levels in our team:
- All changes to BIOS or UEFI must use an authenticated update mechanism or a secure local update mechanism.
- The mechanism secure local update should only be used to load the first image or recover from corruption in the system boot.
- It will also ensure the authenticity and integrity of the upgrade image, especially if it comes to BIOS.
- To prevent unintentional or malicious modification of the system they must be protected by a mechanism that cannot be replaced outside an authenticated update.
- The update mechanism will be the only one able to modify the BIOS system without physical intervention.
To keep these security measures will achieve, independent start model used in our device, this guarantees the integrity of our information.