Since January 2016, the new anti-counterfeit driver by USB chip specialist FTDI is being installed automatically through the Windows updates. If the driver recognizes a counterfeit FTDI processor, it performs a targeted manipulation of the data transfer between the computer and hardware devices connected to the computer by USB.
Instead of the serial data stream, the driver transmits the text “Non genuine device found.” Therefore, programs that attempt to receive data from the USB device may not function properly. As a consequence, the user may falsely believe that the connected device is defective. This can be particularly problematic in the case of industrial control systems, which are often operated over USB interfaces.
FTDI had already triggered outrage with a controversial anti-counterfeit tool in late 2014 (see our German-language report): The chip manufacturer had launched a driver that directly attacked counterfeits of its chips, causing many devices connected by USB to stop functioning properly. FTDI was forced to recall the driver in light of heavy criticism.
The new driver, however, is much less aggressive, said Fred Dart, Chief Executive of FTDI, in an interview with Adafruit: “The counterfeit device does not get harmed or re-programmed in any way – the drivers simply refuse to work with recognised counterfeit chips.”
