Using instruction code obfuscation to defeat malware attacks

Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Brock LaMeresRunning Crane, Tristan Tanner2024-12-182023https://scholarworks.montana.edu/handle/1/18938This 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.enComputer securityMalware (Computer software)Heterogeneous computingUsing instruction code obfuscation to defeat malware attacksThesisCopyright 2023 by Tristan Tanner Running Crane