Hardware Tampering
Hardware tampering changes, adds, or removes physical components to alter behavior or capture information.
Mechanism
Examples include modified firmware, implants, replaced components, or unauthorized inline devices. Detection requires both physical and logical integrity controls.
Indicators to watch
Unexpected hardware inventory changes, firmware differences, new USB/network devices, tamper alerts, or configuration drift.
Concept diagram
Defensive controls
Use asset inventory, tamper-evident controls, secure boot, signed firmware, restricted access, and integrity monitoring.
Recommended security control
Asset inventory / secure boot attestation
Use spare lab hardware for demonstrations.
Defense tool
The administrator has not attached a tool yet. This slot will show “Build Soon” until a link or file is configured.
All attack descriptions are for defensive education. Test scanning, traffic generation, interception, wireless testing, and vulnerable applications only on systems and networks you own or are explicitly authorized to assess.