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Endpoint, Host & Application

BIOS

Basic Input/Output System

Legacy firmware that initializes hardware at boot, largely replaced by UEFI.

BIOS is legacy firmware stored on the motherboard that initializes hardware and starts the boot process before the operating system loads. As a low-level, persistent component, it is a target for firmware tampering and bootkits that survive operating system reinstalls. It has largely been superseded by UEFI, which adds features such as Secure Boot to verify the integrity of boot components. On the exam, link BIOS and UEFI to boot integrity and to hardware root-of-trust concepts that protect the early startup chain.

Related terms

Looking BIOS up is step one. Getting tested on it is step two.

A free account opens all 4 Domain 1 objectives, 271 exam-style questions with a lesson and a lab on each, a placement check that skips what you already know, and a dated plan. No card.

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