Low-level software stored on a hardware device that controls how the device starts up and operates.
Firmware sits between hardware and higher-level software. Your router, printer, smartwatch, television, keyboard, and even the motherboard in your computer all run firmware that tells the hardware how to start up and behave.
Unlike regular applications, firmware is stored in non-volatile memory, so it persists when the device is switched off. Manufacturers release firmware updates to fix bugs, add features, and patch security vulnerabilities, and many devices now update over the internet automatically. Keeping firmware current is important, since outdated firmware on routers and IoT gadgets is a common way for attackers to build botnets. A failed or interrupted firmware update can occasionally leave a device unusable, a situation informally called bricking.
A network of compromised computers or devices controlled remotely by an attacker, often used for spam, fraud, or DDoS attacks.
KernelThe core part of an operating system that manages hardware, memory, processes, and communication between software and devices.
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