Software Licensing and Protection

The Perils of Software Code Tampering Overview In today’s interconnected digital world, bits and bytes like software, firmware and controller code have become an integral part of our daily lives, powering everyday consumer goods like smartphones, automobiles, and kitchen appliances to necessary infrastructure items like transportation systems, food production and packaging processes, medical devices, and the production of and transmission of necessary utilities. Even the basic model automobile has hundreds of chips monitoring the state of everything from engine conditions, power train performance, and emergency braking systems down to the status of the interior lights. However, the increasing reliance on software brings with it the risks associated with code tampering. According to sources cited in a recent Gartner Report (31 October 2023, ID G00762170, licensed for distribution) supply chain security risks alone have seen triple digit increases. In this post, we will explore the dangers of one of these risks: software code tampering and the potential consequences for individuals, businesses, and society as a whole. To mention just one: During the worldwide pandemic, we discovered just how vulnerable the entire supply chain was to disruptions of small components. We will shed some light on the evolving landscape of code tampering...