(1) Software/Hardware of Reverse Engineering

Question 1

How do analysts that are trying to reverse engineer code that is written in an interpreted language do to reverse engineer the code?

Answer 1

To reverse engineer code that is written in an interpreted language, the engineer reads the code and deciphers what it does based on what the code says

Question 2

How does a reverse engineer determine how code works when it is written in a compiled language? Name 2 specific options.

Answer 2

Compiled languages are much more difficult to reverse engineer.

Option 1: Use a particular program that is called a decompiler to turn the binary code into something legible.

Option 2: Use a special environment to look at how software reacts to different inputs to try and figure out what it does.

Question 3

Compared to software engineering, describe hardware engineering

Answer 3

Hardware engineering is very difficult because the proof of authenticity is buried deep within the the code of the circuits and firmware of the device.

Techniques similar to reverse engineering compiled code are used on hardware. Getting the hardware documentation from the manufacturer can be useful too.