Trying out UEFI boot security on a recent Linux system
The Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) swept into the headlines a couple years ago as a comprehensive replacement for the BIOS system used to boot millions of personal computers around the world. UEFI, which is essentially "a specification that defines a software interface between an operating system and platform firmware," [1] is a vast project, with features that affect device drivers, time services, and many other aspects of computer operation. However, the feature that has captured the most attention is a controversial component known as Secure Boot.
UEFI Secure Boot was billed as a feature for making sure an "unauthorized" operating system doesn't take over the system, and the Linux community quickly realized that "unauthorized" means something more like "non-Microsoft."
Since then, open source coders have developed some techniques for co-existing with UEFI Secure Boot, and some Linux projects have even made their peace with Microsoft to become officially "authorized" through Microsoft's certificate authority.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Keep Android Open
Google has announced that, soon, anyone looking to develop Android apps will have to first register centrally with Google.
-
Kernel 7.0 Now in Testing
Linus Torvalds has announced the first Release Candidate (RC) for the 7.x kernel is available for those who want to test it.
-
Introducing matrixOS, an Immutable Gentoo-Based Linux Distro
It was only a matter of time before a developer decided one of the most challenging Linux distributions needed to be immutable.
-
Chaos Comes to KDE in KaOS
KaOS devs are making a major change to the distribution, and it all comes down to one system.
-
New Linux Botnet Discovered
The SSHStalker botnet uses IRC C2 to control systems via legacy Linux kernel exploits.
-
The Next Linux Kernel Turns 7.0
Linus Torvalds has announced that after Linux kernel 6.19, we'll finally reach the 7.0 iteration stage.
-
Linux From Scratch Drops SysVinit Support
LFS will no longer support SysVinit.
-
LibreOffice 26.2 Now Available
With new features, improvements, and bug fixes, LibreOffice 26.2 delivers a modern, polished office suite without compromise.
-
Linux Kernel Project Releases Project Continuity Document
What happens to Linux when there's no Linus? It's a question many of us have asked over the years, and it seems it's also on the minds of the Linux kernel project.
-
Mecha Systems Introduces Linux Handheld
Mecha Systems has revealed its Mecha Comet, a new handheld computer powered by – you guessed it – Linux.