A kill switchA kill switch is a security mechanism used to disable a device, system or shut down the Internet in the event of a problem or compromise.
plural: kill switches
There are different types of kill switches:
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- At device level: blocks all Internet connections to the device
- At programme level: only disconnects specific applications
- Based on the rules of firewall applies rules to block certain connections
Examples of kill switches:
- Antimalware When a malware infection is detected, a kill switch can stop the software or even cut off Internet access to prevent propagation.
- Cryptocurrencies Some blockchains incorporate kill switches to deactivate smart contracts in the event of unexpected or malicious behaviour.
- IoT (Internet of Things) devices A kill switch can remotely disable a compromised or faulty connected device to prevent security incidents.
- Cloud services Cloud platforms often incorporate kill switches to immediately stop services that have been compromised or are in breach of security.
- IA In the face of the risks posed by AI, the proposed kill switch for AI was rejected by California at the end of 2024. Complex debate on AI regulation, with a world summit in Paris in February 2025.
How cyber specialists use the word kill switch:
- β Activates the kill switch to isolate the incident and prevent it spreading.
- "The kill switch has been triggered automatically when abnormal behaviour is detected.
- "It is crucial to regularly test the operation of the kill switch to make sure it's responsive.
- "We have set up a kill switch on the main server so that it can be switched off in the event of a cyber attack".
- "The new update includes a software kill switch to prevent the execution of malicious code.
