COMMAND

    BIOS

SYSTEMS AFFECTED

    Systems running under AWARD bios

PROBLEM

    In recent,  there are  lots of  host runs  Linux, FreeBSD,  etc...
    Many administrarot believes that  System Password that main  board
    support  is  fully  secure  to  prevent  the  console  hacker from
    cracking  in  front  of  the  system  But, It is a very "Unsecure"
    thought.   The  BIOS  accept  the  password  "condo"  like  a real
    password and  booting, gives  the permission  to set  up the bios.
    Unfortunately  almost  versions  of  award  bios  has  the   magic
    password "condo".  You may  also check  AWARD_SW and  j322 to see,
    that there  are many  "universal passwords"  on AWARD  BIOS.   Try
    also "589589". Is the same thing.  And you cannot disable them.

    Some  other  sources  (Matt  Carlson)  say  that "j262" opens most
    versions of  Award BIOS.   It seems  to works  on about  80% cases
    tested.  AWARD_PW works on  some computers as well, but  much less
    often.  AmiBIOS 4.5x usually opens up with 589589.

    Some passwords on various  versions of various BIOS's,  so they're
    worth trying:   condo, djonet, lkwpeter,  biostar, biosstar.   IBM
    Aptiva's can  be cleared  by holding  down both  mouse buttons  at
    boot-up until the computer  boots. Toshiba laptops can  bypass the
    password by holding down the left shift key during boot-up.

SOLUTION

    Don't trust BIOS passwords.