What is the host area?

The area protected by the host (HPA), also referred to as a hidden protected area, is a small, hidden space on the hard disk. With the exception of special commands or programs, the operating system (OS) will not be able to see, interact or manipulate the host protected area. HPA serves various purposes, some who help users, some who help security agencies and some who help hackers. Programs known as HPA-Aware are able to use HPA during boot, but if a user does not include consciousness programs, then HPA helps everyone except the user. Most of the memory on this hardware is free and open, allowing users to save a number of files. There is one section that is reserved, called a protected host area that stores a small version of everything that passes through it. It is like advanced cache, except for information, it remains in HPA much longer.

helps the protected area of ​​the host in the operations of the introduction and recovery. If she has a nicheTel Basic input/output system HPA (BIOS), BIOS can use HPA to help you start the computer and for diagnostic purposes. Some computer manufacturers can also store pre -loaded OS on HPA. When the computer is transported to the repair shop because it was attacked, the repairman usually approaches HPA to repair the computer.

Teams for the security of the government and law enforcement authorities also have access to the host protected area to find out what the user does with the computer if he is suspected of offenses. HPA holds the version of everything that came and out of the computer, so it shows whether or use the user or used any illegal files or programs. This computer forensic information can be convicting and helps security teams to know if you really do Something illegal with its computer.

hackers can also handle the host protected area to make rootkit viruses permanent. Normally, if the antivirus program finds Rootkit - a virus that allows access to the victim's computer - is eliminated. If Rootkit hides in HPA, then antiviral and even anti-rootkit programs cannot find.

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host protected area contains sensitive information such as boot information, so it is made to be hidden, so users do not accidentally erase HPA. There are some command lines and special programs that are able to read and manipulate HPA, usually to delete information or reduce the size of HPA. This may have extensive effects such as preventing your computer from effective introduction and turning on, so HPA is best left alone.