Cybersecurity Tactics to Prevent Jackware Attacks on Embedded Devices

Cybersecurity Tactics to Prevent Jackware Attacks on Embedded Devices | SPONSORED

Ransomware is a serious cybersecurity challenge that is growing at uncontrollable rates. Every 11 seconds, a new organization falls victim to a ransomware attack. And by the end of this year, the cost of ransomware to businesses is expected to surpass $20 billion. In this article we present some cybersecurity tactics to prevent jackware attacks on embedded devices.

What is Jackware?

Jackware is a malware that hijacks embedded devices. Jackware is very dangerous and it appears like a hacker is taking control of a system and its embedded devices. It can cause interruption in the power supplies, can reach your smart cars, smart homes… basically every smart systems.

In today’s world, there are tiny computers placed into every type of machine and device that the general public uses, both personally and professionally, adding connectivity and “smart” features to our everyday technologies. These are called embedded devices.

They may be tiny, but their role in critical infrastructure is massive. Embedded devices are the drivers behind the operating systems for cars, health care, corporate enterprises, mass transit, home life, and much more. Since they function similarly to traditional computers, they’re just as vulnerable to malware attacks—known as the infamous jackware.

The part about jackware that makes it so devastating? It has direct, physical effects and consequences when placed into action. The cyber threat has the ability to completely shut down embedded devices, putting larger physical systems (that we heavily rely on) to a complete and immediate halt. The supply chain disruption  recently experienced due to ransomware is just the beginning—permanent damage to our operating systems, our wellbeing, and disruptions in essential services are all on the line.

Further reading: Five cybersecurity experts about CrashOverride malware: main dangers and lessons for IIoT

Cybersecurity Technology to Prevent Jackware

For new embedded device creation, the Alkemist cyber immunization technology is directly embedded into the build process with native Yocto and embedded Linux implementations, reducing zero-day vulnerabilities and protecting manufacturers from liability in the case of a successful jackware attack. More about Vulnerabilities in Smart Alarms and Cars Hijacking.

The advantages of this type of Jackware protection include:

• Immediately protect existing devices
• Deploy remotely at scale
• Native Yocto toolchain integration
• Easily deployed
• Zero runtime penalty, minimal footprint

It’s the solution that’s been needed for years, and it’s finally time to put it to work. Today’s attackers aren’t in the mood to wait.

Further reading: Preventing Malware Attacks with Network Security Monitoring Solutions

Read the full post from RunSafe Security to learn more about preventing jackware.

More about Cybersecurity for Embedded Systems

Learn how your organization can protect itself from malware and ICS cyber attacks at IIoT World’s Cybersecurity Day on October 6, 2021. The first 500 tickets are free, so register today.