Using instruction code obfuscation to defeat malware attacks

Abstract

This thesis investigates the use of obfuscated instruction codes within a redundant, RISC-V computer architecture to detect and defeat malware injected cyberattacks. The system abstracts the obfuscation from the user so that the system looks like a single processor edge computer. The system was tested using real-time sensor data coming from a camera while image processing algorithms were performed. The results of this thesis contribute to the body of knowledge on how to keep edge computers used in critical applications operational during a cyber attack.