Meet “badBIOS,” the mysterious Mac/PC malware that jumps airgaps

I love writing about science fiction-y ideas, and I of course love computers and networking. I happened across this story today on Ars Technica, and could not stop reading. The writer part of my brain lit up like a Christmas tree on steroids after being blown up in a Michael Bay movie trailer. The nerdy part of my brain that still pays attention to high tech shuddered, as this is part of our technological future.

“Three years ago, security consultant Dragos Ruiu was in his lab when he noticed something highly unusual: his MacBook Air, on which he had just installed a fresh copy of OS X, spontaneously updated the firmware that helps it boot. Stranger still, when Ruiu then tried to boot the machine off a CD ROM, it refused. He also found that the machine could delete data and undo configuration changes with no prompting. He didn’t know it then, but that odd firmware update would become a high-stakes malware mystery that would consume most of his waking hours.

In the following months, Ruiu observed more odd phenomena that seemed straight out of a science-fiction thriller. A computer running the Open BSD operating system also began to modify its settings and delete its data without explanation or prompting. His network transmitted data specific to the Internet’s next-generation IPv6 networking protocol, even from computers that were supposed to have IPv6 completely disabled. Strangest of all was the ability of infected machines to transmit small amounts of network data with other infected machines even when their power cords and Ethernet cables were unplugged and their Wi-Fi and Bluetooth cards were removed. Further investigation soon showed that the list of affected operating systems also included multiple variants of Windows and Linux.”

Read the entire article at Ars Technica

“Hallowed Ends” released into the wild

Hello, all. “Hallowed Ends” is now live at Amazon for $0.99 (Free if you are an Amazon Prime or Kindle Unlimited member). Here’s a friendly link:

“Hallowed Ends” is exclusive to Amazon.com for the first 90 days.

Also, here’s a much larger image of the cover, painted by Rebecca Weaver:

"Hallowed Ends" final cover

“Hallowed Ends” final cover

“End of the Line” concept art update #3-ish

Right. So. Trevor Smith and I came to the conclusion that the original cover idea gave away too much, so he’s back at the drawing board. However, we both loved what he’d drawn before scrapping the idea, and Trevor has decided to keep working on it to add to his portfolio.

The new cover will have Terran Marines in their CR-31 combat fighting suit, probably blasting the bad aliens and such. In the meantime, here’s some more of the original art that won’t be on the cover (however, I might go ahead and purchase it as an alternative cover for the paperbacks, because it is pretty damn awesome).

More concept art from Trevor Smith for "End of the Line."

More concept art from Trevor Smith for “End of the Line.”

“End of the Line” cover art update

Just received an update from Trevor Smith, the artist working on the cover of “End of the Line.” This is NOT a finished piece, just a slight update to show me what some of the aliens look like. They look pretty %#@$! awesome!

"End of the Line" art (WiP)

“End of the Line” art (WiP)

“The Big Bhang” + new “Eight Hour Fiction” covers!

Keith Draws and Rebecca Weaver have been working on some covers. Tonight, I received an update from both. First, Keith’s “The Big Bhang” cover:

"The Big Bhang" - Science Fiction + Stoner Fiction

“The Big Bhang” – Science Fiction + Stoner Fiction

Next, Rebecca has come up with replacements for my “Eight Hour Fiction” series of shorts:

"Eight Hour Fiction #1"

“Eight Hour Fiction #1”

"Eight Hour Fiction #2"

“Eight Hour Fiction #2”

“Hallowed Ends” cover update

Many thanks to Rebecca Weaver as she brings this cover to life!

“Hallowed Ends” is a classic fantasy tale of a powerful weapon’s forging in a world about to be plunged into the nightmare of war.

Initial "rough" sketch for "Hallowed Ends" book cover

Initial “rough” sketch for “Hallowed Ends” book cover

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Hallowed Ends" book cover, still a Work-in-Progress (but looking fantastic!)

“Hallowed Ends” book cover, still a Work-in-Progress (but looking fantastic!)

“The Big Bhang” cover update from Keith Draws

Right. Keith sent me an update to look over for “The Big Bhang.” I’m loving it. The fur coat will be jeans + t-shirt, but other than that, only minor changes coming. Can’t wait to see the finished version! You can read some of this story here at the website (first five or six chapters, I think). It’s weird, so if I were you, I’d probably avoid it at all costs.

Thanks to Keith Draws Cover Art!

"The Big Bhang" cover, still in progress.

“The Big Bhang” cover, still in progress.