Which malware type infects the firmware residing on network cards and hard disks to deliver the malicious payload?

Which malware type infects the firmware residing on network cards and hard disks to deliver the malicious payload?

• A. Device-based malware
• B. Disk-based malware
• C. Network-based malware
• D. USB-based malware

Answer: (A)

Infecting the firmware inside hardware components, like network interface cards and hard drives, means the malware lives in the device itself rather than in the operating system. This is best described as device-based malware. It persists across reboots and even OS reinstalls because it resides in non-volatile firmware on the device, and it can execute when the device initializes, giving attackers deep, stealthy control. Disk-based malware would be limited to the disk’s own firmware or boot code, USB-based targets USB devices, and network-based focuses on manipulating traffic or devices at the network level rather than the firmware of hardware components. So the scenario described fits device-based malware.

Infecting the firmware inside hardware components, like network interface cards and hard drives, means the malware lives in the device itself rather than in the operating system. This is best described as device-based malware. It persists across reboots and even OS reinstalls because it resides in non-volatile firmware on the device, and it can execute when the device initializes, giving attackers deep, stealthy control. Disk-based malware would be limited to the disk’s own firmware or boot code, USB-based targets USB devices, and network-based focuses on manipulating traffic or devices at the network level rather than the firmware of hardware components. So the scenario described fits device-based malware.