Peter Kleissner's Bootkit Breaks Windows 8 Firmware Defenses

An Austrian security analyst has built the first known bootkit that bypasses Windows 8's defenses against installing malware while the operating system is booting. Peter Kleissner, an independent programmer and recognized security expert, is expected to release his Windows-cracking application at the International Malware Conference (MalCon) in Mumbai, India, scheduled for Nov. 25 and 26.

Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFT) has built into Windows 8 technology that requires authentication of firmware through digital signatures before the programs are allowed to run as the operating system is loading. Firmware is used to wake up the various electronic components in the PC.

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