Secure Boot is a security feature integrated into modern PCs that ensures only trusted software is allowed to run during the system's boot process. It verifies the digital signatures of critical components like the firmware, bootloader, and operating system. Only software signed by trusted entities, such as the system manufacturer or Microsoft, is permitted to execute during startup. If unsigned or tampered software attempts to load, Secure Boot halts the process to prevent potential malware infections or unauthorized access. This feature helps protect the system against rootkits and other malware that try to attack at the boot level, ensuring the integrity and stability of the operating system from the very beginning of the startup. Secure Boot is especially important for maintaining overall system security and is recommended to be kept enabled unless there's a specific need to disable it. Additionally, Secure Boot is required by some modern applications, including certain PC multiplayer games, because it can prevent cheating software from running effectively by blocking unauthorized code deep in the system. In summary, Secure Boot:
- Verifies the authenticity of boot software using digital signatures
- Prevents unauthorized or malicious software from running during startup
- Protects against rootkits and boot-level malware
- Enhances system security and stability
- Is important for certain applications and gaming anti-cheat systems
- Can be controlled via BIOS/UEFI settings but should typically remain enabled for security reasons
This makes it a fundamental security layer in modern computing systems to safeguard the computer from threats right from the moment it powers on. If unsigned software is detected at boot, Secure Boot stops the loading process to protect the system.
