The National Security Agency (NSA) has released a guide on how to protect systems from the BlackLotus UEFI bootkit malware, which has been causing havoc since October 2022.
BlackLotus is a sophisticated piece of malware that targets the earliest software stage of the boot process, making it extremely efficient and persistent. It can disable Windows Defender, BitLocker, and Hypervisor-protected Code Integrity (HVCI), and it can also exploit a vulnerability in Secure Boot to bypass security measures.
The NSA's guide provides recommendations on how to harden systems against BlackLotus, including:
- Keeping Windows and firmware up to date
- Using a UEFI-based Secure Boot implementation
- Enabling Secure Boot with a blacklist of known-vulnerable boot loaders
- Using a disk encryption solution that supports Secure Boot
- Implementing layered security controls
The guide also includes information on how to identify and remove BlackLotus infections.
The NSA's release of this guide is a timely reminder of the importance of securing systems against bootkits. Bootkits are a serious threat, and they can be very difficult to detect and remove. By following the recommendations in the NSA's guide, organizations can help to protect their systems from BlackLotus and other bootkits.
Here are some additional tips for protecting your systems from BlackLotus:
- Use a firewall to block unauthorized traffic.
- Keep your software up to date with the latest security patches.
- Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication.
- Be careful about what websites you visit and what files you open.
- Back up your data regularly.
By following these tips, you can help to protect your systems from BlackLotus and other malware.