GREENSBORO, NC -- Two minutes, that's how long it takes a difficult-to-detect virus called "LightEater" takes to gain access to your computer. And millions of computers are vulnerable.
To better understand the two-minute attack and how it works, you need to understand BIOS. BIOS stands for basic input/output system. It is what helps get your computer running when you turn it on. BIOS helps your operating system, like Microsoft Windows, communicate with whats plugged into it, ie., the monitor, the keyboard, the mouse.
LifeEater works by infecting this basic input/output system. The hacker's goal isn't to make it hard for you to use your keyboard, the goal is to install malware and get access to your information.
Unfortunately, the software you use to protect your computer from other viruses doesn't typically scan BIOS. It scans the operating system loaded by BIOS.
So now you're wondering, 'How do I protect my computer if my anti-virus software can't?' Keep your computer updated, that includes BIOS. Millions of computers are vulnerable to a BIOS attack because millions of people don't update BIOS when manufacturers make the updates available.
Updating your BIOS isn't an easy process, but computer manufacturers like Dell have step-by-step tutorials on their websites.
