Chapter 3
Hardware Trojans in Electronic Devices
Abstract This chapter is a review of well-known hardware Trojans designed in
order to be implemented into various electronic devices. Hardware and software
Trojans in telecommunication systems (network equipment, firewalls routers, work
servers, wireless works, and even operator workstations) are considered. A separate
section is dedicated to hardware Trojans in computers. A separate section is dedicated to Trojans in mobile communication systems, household electronic appliances
(TV sets, microwave ovens), electronic appliances for wireless data interception, as
well as various exotic spy devices, such as micro spyware in clothes and boots and
methods data theft from screens of portable computers and computer coolers (in
system units, hard drives, and keyboards). Detailed overview of the main software
and hardware solutions for the protection of phone conversations from malicious
actions and interception of information is provided. The chapter also includes the
first-ever examination of actual and potential hazards of a new type—car viruses.
3.1 Hardware Trojan Programs in Telecommunication
Systems
3.1.1 Trojans in Network Equipment
The works [1, 2] contain a catalog of the most famous software and hardware Trojans,
used by NAS and drawn up by experts and journalists of the SPIEGEL publishing
house (Fig. 3.1).
As we know, information and communication technologies form the base of all
modern telecommunication systems. One of the main problems requiring adoption
of complex security measures is the avalanche-like growth of cybercrimes, as well as
protection from targeted use of cyberweapons on the state level. Realizing the importance of protection of confidential information and state secrets, as well as taking
into account miniaturization of special technical means allowing “silent” extraction
of information from any computer, it is necessary to take preventive measures to find
and exclude such hardware Trojans (implants) in mass and special-purpose devices.
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
A. Belous and V. Saladukha, Viruses, Hardware and Software Trojans,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-47218-4_3
209
Hardware Trojans in Electronic Devices
Abstract This chapter is a review of well-known hardware Trojans designed in
order to be implemented into various electronic devices. Hardware and software
Trojans in telecommunication systems (network equipment, firewalls routers, work
servers, wireless works, and even operator workstations) are considered. A separate
section is dedicated to hardware Trojans in computers. A separate section is dedicated to Trojans in mobile communication systems, household electronic appliances
(TV sets, microwave ovens), electronic appliances for wireless data interception, as
well as various exotic spy devices, such as micro spyware in clothes and boots and
methods data theft from screens of portable computers and computer coolers (in
system units, hard drives, and keyboards). Detailed overview of the main software
and hardware solutions for the protection of phone conversations from malicious
actions and interception of information is provided. The chapter also includes the
first-ever examination of actual and potential hazards of a new type—car viruses.
3.1 Hardware Trojan Programs in Telecommunication
Systems
3.1.1 Trojans in Network Equipment
The works [1, 2] contain a catalog of the most famous software and hardware Trojans,
used by NAS and drawn up by experts and journalists of the SPIEGEL publishing
house (Fig. 3.1).
As we know, information and communication technologies form the base of all
modern telecommunication systems. One of the main problems requiring adoption
of complex security measures is the avalanche-like growth of cybercrimes, as well as
protection from targeted use of cyberweapons on the state level. Realizing the importance of protection of confidential information and state secrets, as well as taking
into account miniaturization of special technical means allowing “silent” extraction
of information from any computer, it is necessary to take preventive measures to find
and exclude such hardware Trojans (implants) in mass and special-purpose devices.
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
A. Belous and V. Saladukha, Viruses, Hardware and Software Trojans,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-47218-4_3
209