


These devices can be programmed to act as a “man-in-the-middle,” allowing the attacker to intercept and alter data as it is transferred between the device and the computer. One of the main ways that DMA attacks are carried out is through the use of hardware devices, such as Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). This can be useful for improving performance, but it also creates a potential security vulnerability. DMA attacks take advantage of a feature of modern computers that allow certain devices, such as external hard drives, graphics cards or network cards, to access the computer’s memory directly, without the participation of the processor. There are several ways to compromise a laptop with physical access, and one of them is through a direct memory access (DMA) attack.Ī DMA attack is a type of cyberattack that allows an attacker to gain direct access to a computer’s memory. Would someone be able to extract sensitive data from your laptop even if the device is encrypted or locked? You have probably wondered what would happen if your company laptop got lost or stolen.
