FTDI - Revision history

Galomi04: inserted image

2026-06-21T19:04:42Z

inserted image

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:04, 21 June 2026
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	Moreover even standalone chips, are reportedly difficult to tell apart from counterfeits and ensure you're getting genuine chips.<ref name="inject"></ref>		Moreover even standalone chips, are reportedly difficult to tell apart from counterfeits and ensure you're getting genuine chips.<ref name="inject"></ref>
	This sets a dangerous precedent, because if users start avoiding updates due to mistrust, they may end up vulnerable because of missed security updates.<ref name="brick"></ref>		This sets a dangerous precedent, because if users start avoiding updates due to mistrust, they may end up vulnerable because of missed security updates.<ref name="brick"></ref>
			[[File:FT232R USB UART IC (SSOP).jpg\|alt=An FTDI FT232RL chip\|thumb\|An FTDI FT232RL chip]]

	===Injecting Garbage Data (2016)===		===Injecting Garbage Data (2016)===

Galomi04: clarified a quote, linked to the wiki's arduino article

2026-06-21T18:56:56Z

clarified a quote, linked to the wiki's arduino article

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:56, 21 June 2026
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	===Drivers Bricking Chips (2014)===		===Drivers Bricking Chips (2014)===
	FTDI pushed an automated driver update via [[Microsoft Windows]] Update that targeted the FT232 chipset. The update bricked chips it detected to be counterfeits or clones by setting their PID to 0. Because the chip itself is not something users usually purchase by itself, but rather buy devices which include it, many users were not aware their chip was counterfeit, yet were still affected. The update's INF file included a disclaimer which mentioned that the driver "MAY IRRETRIEVABLY DAMAGE THAT COMPONENT" ~~however~~, since it was installed through Windows Update, users were not able to see this file.		FTDI pushed an automated driver update via [[Microsoft Windows]] Update that targeted the FT232 chipset. The update bricked chips it detected to be counterfeits or clones by setting their PID to 0. Because the chip itself is not something users usually purchase by itself, but rather buy devices which include it, many users were not aware their chip was counterfeit, yet were still affected. The update's INF file included a disclaimer which mentioned that the driver "MAY IRRETRIEVABLY DAMAGE THAT COMPONENT" referring to non genuine components. However, since it was installed through Windows Update, users were not able to see this file.
	Moreover even standalone chips, are reportedly difficult to tell apart from counterfeits and ensure you're getting genuine chips.<ref name="inject"></ref>		Moreover even standalone chips, are reportedly difficult to tell apart from counterfeits and ensure you're getting genuine chips.<ref name="inject"></ref>
	This sets a dangerous precedent, because if users start avoiding updates due to mistrust, they may end up vulnerable because of missed security updates.<ref name="brick></ref>		This sets a dangerous precedent, because if users start avoiding updates due to mistrust, they may end up vulnerable because of missed security updates.<ref name="brick"></ref>

	===Injecting Garbage Data (2016)===		===Injecting Garbage Data (2016)===
	A functionality was added the FTDI driver through Windows Update that injected unwanted garbage data into the device's serial stream. The stream read "NON GENUINE DEVICE FOUND!” Because this was an undocumented functionality and because it is difficult to tell whether or not a chip is genuine, this may have caused issues in chips in all kinds of devices such as medical and industrial equipment as well as ~~Arduinos~~.<ref name="inject"></ref>		A functionality was added the FTDI driver through Windows Update that injected unwanted garbage data into the device's serial stream. The stream read "NON GENUINE DEVICE FOUND!” Because this was an undocumented functionality and because it is difficult to tell whether or not a chip is genuine, this may have caused issues in chips in all kinds of devices such as medical and industrial equipment as well as [[Arduino]].<ref name="inject"></ref>

	==Products==		==Products==

Galomi04: fixed broken source, linked to the windows article on the wiki.

2026-06-21T18:46:50Z

fixed broken source, linked to the windows article on the wiki.

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:46, 21 June 2026
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	==Consumer-impact summary==		==Consumer-impact summary==
	FTDI has employed aggressive measures such as bricking or injecting garbage data via undocumented features into users' chips that were determined to be clones or counterfeits by FTDI's drivers. This led to backlash and [[Microsoft]] removing FTDI's driver from Windows. Eventually, FTDI backed down.<ref name="brick">{{Cite web \|date=25 Oct 2014 \|first=James \|last=Sanders \|title=FTDI uses [[Microsoft Windows]] Update to disable devices using counterfeit chips \|website=techrepublic \|url=https://www.techrepublic.com/article/ftdi-abuses-windows-update-pushing-driver-that-breaks-counterfeit-chips/ \|url-status=usurped \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307174533/https://www.techrepublic.com/article/ftdi-abuses-windows-update-pushing-driver-that-breaks-counterfeit-chips/ \|archive-date=7 Mar 2023 \|access-date=21 Jun 2026}}</ref><ref name="inject">{{Cite web \|date=1 Feb 2016 \|first=Brian \|last=Benchoff \|title=FTDI Drivers Break Fake Chips, Again \|url=https://hackaday.com/2016/02/01/ftdi-drivers-break-fake-chips-again/ \|url-status=live \|website=Hackaday \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260621180710/https://hackaday.com/2016/02/01/ftdi-drivers-break-fake-chips-again/ \|archive-date=21 Jun 2026}}</ref>		FTDI has employed aggressive measures such as bricking or injecting garbage data via undocumented features into users' chips that were determined to be clones or counterfeits by FTDI's drivers. This led to backlash and [[Microsoft]] removing FTDI's driver from [[Microsoft Windows]]. Eventually, FTDI backed down.<ref name="brick">{{Cite web \|date=25 Oct 2014 \|first=James \|last=Sanders \|title=FTDI uses Microsoft Windows Update to disable devices using counterfeit chips \|website=techrepublic \|url=https://www.techrepublic.com/article/ftdi-abuses-windows-update-pushing-driver-that-breaks-counterfeit-chips/ \|url-status=usurped \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307174533/https://www.techrepublic.com/article/ftdi-abuses-windows-update-pushing-driver-that-breaks-counterfeit-chips/ \|archive-date=7 Mar 2023 \|access-date=21 Jun 2026}}</ref><ref name="inject">{{Cite web \|date=1 Feb 2016 \|first=Brian \|last=Benchoff \|title=FTDI Drivers Break Fake Chips, Again \|url=https://hackaday.com/2016/02/01/ftdi-drivers-break-fake-chips-again/ \|url-status=live \|website=Hackaday \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260621180710/https://hackaday.com/2016/02/01/ftdi-drivers-break-fake-chips-again/ \|archive-date=21 Jun 2026}}</ref>

	==Incidents==		==Incidents==

Galomi04: altered description and added a short description to the 1st paragraph. linked 'Windows' to the windows article on the wiki.

2026-06-21T18:45:00Z

altered description and added a short description to the 1st paragraph. linked 'Windows' to the windows article on the wiki.

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:45, 21 June 2026
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	\|Type=Private		\|Type=Private
	\|Website=https://ftdichip.com/		\|Website=https://ftdichip.com/
	\|Description=~~Future Technology Devices International Limited (~~FTDI) is a ~~fabless~~ semiconductor company ~~headquartered in Glasgow,Scotland~~		\|Description=FTDI is a Scottish semiconductor company.
	}}		}}
	~~FTDI~~ has facilities Singapore, Oregon and China in addition to the UK.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Corporate Profile \|url=https://ftdichip.com/corporate-profile/ \|url-status=live \|website=ftdi \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260621171519/https://ftdichip.com/corporate-profile/?__cf_chl_rt_tk=xx_mHq514bihUr.xCKRLH9bmtwvYu73_hY1atdHbGsQ-1782062119-1.0.1.1-WQOwQlZgtyn1B0PmjBZ6oqeoSu1iN0Jo0I3rCR5t8XA \|archive-date=21 Jun 2026}}</ref>It specializes in USB and manufactures various integrated circuits ranging from USB Host Controllers to USB to UART converter chips, multipurpose converters with support for FIFO, JTAG, SPI etc in addition to UART. It also manufactures various cables and adapters, mainly for USB, RS232, UART and RS422.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Products \|url=https://ftdichip.com/product-category/products/ \|url-status=live \|website=ftdi \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260621174420/https://ftdichip.com/product-category/products/?__cf_chl_rt_tk=Jx8.q6zAQBniNudpDDnV_jub4em4fnCp2__nEfG8Lnk-1782063860-1.0.1.1-OnsX3G.YXR45KXaY7pY6UbubVffzAUjkwKwz.i4f8v4 \|archive-date=21 Jun 2026}}</ref>		Future Technology Devices International Limited is a Scottish fabless semiconductor company. It has facilities Singapore, Oregon and China in addition to the UK.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Corporate Profile \|url=https://ftdichip.com/corporate-profile/ \|url-status=live \|website=ftdi \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260621171519/https://ftdichip.com/corporate-profile/?__cf_chl_rt_tk=xx_mHq514bihUr.xCKRLH9bmtwvYu73_hY1atdHbGsQ-1782062119-1.0.1.1-WQOwQlZgtyn1B0PmjBZ6oqeoSu1iN0Jo0I3rCR5t8XA \|archive-date=21 Jun 2026}}</ref>It specializes in USB and manufactures various integrated circuits ranging from USB Host Controllers to USB to UART converter chips, multipurpose converters with support for FIFO, JTAG, SPI etc in addition to UART. It also manufactures various cables and adapters, mainly for USB, RS232, UART and RS422.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Products \|url=https://ftdichip.com/product-category/products/ \|url-status=live \|website=ftdi \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260621174420/https://ftdichip.com/product-category/products/?__cf_chl_rt_tk=Jx8.q6zAQBniNudpDDnV_jub4em4fnCp2__nEfG8Lnk-1782063860-1.0.1.1-OnsX3G.YXR45KXaY7pY6UbubVffzAUjkwKwz.i4f8v4 \|archive-date=21 Jun 2026}}</ref>

	==Consumer-impact summary==		==Consumer-impact summary==
	FTDI has employed aggressive measures such as bricking or injecting garbage data via undocumented features into users' chips that were determined to be clones or counterfeits by FTDI's drivers. This led to backlash and [[Microsoft]] removing FTDI's driver from Windows. Eventually, FTDI backed down.<ref name="brick">{{Cite web \|date=25 Oct 2014 \|first=James \|last=Sanders \|title=FTDI uses Windows Update to disable devices using counterfeit chips \|website=techrepublic \|url=https://www.techrepublic.com/article/ftdi-abuses-windows-update-pushing-driver-that-breaks-counterfeit-chips/ \|url-status=usurped \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307174533/https://www.techrepublic.com/article/ftdi-abuses-windows-update-pushing-driver-that-breaks-counterfeit-chips/ \|archive-date=7 Mar 2023 \|access-date=21 Jun 2026}}</ref><ref name="inject">{{Cite web \|date=1 Feb 2016 \|first=Brian \|last=Benchoff \|title=FTDI Drivers Break Fake Chips, Again \|url=https://hackaday.com/2016/02/01/ftdi-drivers-break-fake-chips-again/ \|url-status=live \|website=Hackaday \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260621180710/https://hackaday.com/2016/02/01/ftdi-drivers-break-fake-chips-again/ \|archive-date=21 Jun 2026}}</ref>		FTDI has employed aggressive measures such as bricking or injecting garbage data via undocumented features into users' chips that were determined to be clones or counterfeits by FTDI's drivers. This led to backlash and [[Microsoft]] removing FTDI's driver from Windows. Eventually, FTDI backed down.<ref name="brick">{{Cite web \|date=25 Oct 2014 \|first=James \|last=Sanders \|title=FTDI uses [[Microsoft Windows]] Update to disable devices using counterfeit chips \|website=techrepublic \|url=https://www.techrepublic.com/article/ftdi-abuses-windows-update-pushing-driver-that-breaks-counterfeit-chips/ \|url-status=usurped \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307174533/https://www.techrepublic.com/article/ftdi-abuses-windows-update-pushing-driver-that-breaks-counterfeit-chips/ \|archive-date=7 Mar 2023 \|access-date=21 Jun 2026}}</ref><ref name="inject">{{Cite web \|date=1 Feb 2016 \|first=Brian \|last=Benchoff \|title=FTDI Drivers Break Fake Chips, Again \|url=https://hackaday.com/2016/02/01/ftdi-drivers-break-fake-chips-again/ \|url-status=live \|website=Hackaday \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260621180710/https://hackaday.com/2016/02/01/ftdi-drivers-break-fake-chips-again/ \|archive-date=21 Jun 2026}}</ref>

	==Incidents==		==Incidents==

	===Drivers Bricking Chips (2014)===		===Drivers Bricking Chips (2014)===
	FTDI pushed an automated driver update via Windows Update that targeted the FT232 chipset. The update bricked chips it detected to be counterfeits or clones by setting their PID to 0. Because the chip itself is not something users usually purchase by itself, but rather buy devices which include it, many users were not aware their chip was counterfeit, yet were still affected. The update's INF file included a disclaimer which mentioned that the driver "MAY IRRETRIEVABLY DAMAGE THAT COMPONENT" however, since it was installed through Windows Update, users were not able to see this file.		FTDI pushed an automated driver update via [[Microsoft Windows]] Update that targeted the FT232 chipset. The update bricked chips it detected to be counterfeits or clones by setting their PID to 0. Because the chip itself is not something users usually purchase by itself, but rather buy devices which include it, many users were not aware their chip was counterfeit, yet were still affected. The update's INF file included a disclaimer which mentioned that the driver "MAY IRRETRIEVABLY DAMAGE THAT COMPONENT" however, since it was installed through Windows Update, users were not able to see this file.
	Moreover even standalone chips, are reportedly difficult to tell apart from counterfeits and ensure you're getting genuine chips.<ref name="inject"></ref>		Moreover even standalone chips, are reportedly difficult to tell apart from counterfeits and ensure you're getting genuine chips.<ref name="inject"></ref>
	This sets a dangerous precedent, because if users start avoiding updates due to mistrust, they may end up vulnerable because of missed security updates.<ref name="brick></ref>		This sets a dangerous precedent, because if users start avoiding updates due to mistrust, they may end up vulnerable because of missed security updates.<ref name="brick></ref>

Galomi04: /* Injecting Garbage Data (2016) */ added a space between Data and (2016)

2026-06-21T18:32:37Z

Injecting Garbage Data (2016): added a space between Data and (2016)

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:32, 21 June 2026
Line 19:		Line 19:
	This sets a dangerous precedent, because if users start avoiding updates due to mistrust, they may end up vulnerable because of missed security updates.<ref name="brick></ref>		This sets a dangerous precedent, because if users start avoiding updates due to mistrust, they may end up vulnerable because of missed security updates.<ref name="brick></ref>

	===Injecting Garbage Data(2016)===		===Injecting Garbage Data (2016)===
	A functionality was added the FTDI driver through Windows Update that injected unwanted garbage data into the device's serial stream. The stream read "NON GENUINE DEVICE FOUND!” Because this was an undocumented functionality and because it is difficult to tell whether or not a chip is genuine, this may have caused issues in chips in all kinds of devices such as medical and industrial equipment as well as Arduinos.<ref name="inject"></ref>		A functionality was added the FTDI driver through Windows Update that injected unwanted garbage data into the device's serial stream. The stream read "NON GENUINE DEVICE FOUND!” Because this was an undocumented functionality and because it is difficult to tell whether or not a chip is genuine, this may have caused issues in chips in all kinds of devices such as medical and industrial equipment as well as Arduinos.<ref name="inject"></ref>

Galomi04: Added main contents

2026-06-21T18:31:26Z

Added main contents

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:31, 21 June 2026
Line 5:		Line 5:
	\|Type=Private		\|Type=Private
	\|Website=https://ftdichip.com/		\|Website=https://ftdichip.com/
	\|Description=Future Technology Devices International Limited (FTDI) is a fabless semiconductor company headquartered in Glasgow,Scotland.		\|Description=Future Technology Devices International Limited (FTDI) is a fabless semiconductor company headquartered in Glasgow,Scotland
	}}		}}
	{{Ph-C-~~Int~~}}		FTDI has facilities Singapore, Oregon and China in addition to the UK.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Corporate Profile \|url=https://ftdichip.com/corporate-profile/ \|url-status=live \|website=ftdi \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260621171519/https://ftdichip.com/corporate-profile/?__cf_chl_rt_tk=xx_mHq514bihUr.xCKRLH9bmtwvYu73_hY1atdHbGsQ-1782062119-1.0.1.1-WQOwQlZgtyn1B0PmjBZ6oqeoSu1iN0Jo0I3rCR5t8XA \|archive-date=21 Jun 2026}}</ref>It specializes in USB and manufactures various integrated circuits ranging from USB Host Controllers to USB to UART converter chips, multipurpose converters with support for FIFO, JTAG, SPI etc in addition to UART. It also manufactures various cables and adapters, mainly for USB, RS232, UART and RS422.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Products \|url=https://ftdichip.com/product-category/products/ \|url-status=live \|website=ftdi \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260621174420/https://ftdichip.com/product-category/products/?__cf_chl_rt_tk=Jx8.q6zAQBniNudpDDnV_jub4em4fnCp2__nEfG8Lnk-1782063860-1.0.1.1-OnsX3G.YXR45KXaY7pY6UbubVffzAUjkwKwz.i4f8v4 \|archive-date=21 Jun 2026}}</ref>

	==Consumer-impact summary==		==Consumer-impact summary==
	{{Ph-C-~~CIS~~}}		FTDI has employed aggressive measures such as bricking or injecting garbage data via undocumented features into users' chips that were determined to be clones or counterfeits by FTDI's drivers. This led to backlash and [[Microsoft]] removing FTDI's driver from Windows. Eventually, FTDI backed down.<ref name="brick">{{Cite web \|date=25 Oct 2014 \|first=James \|last=Sanders \|title=FTDI uses Windows Update to disable devices using counterfeit chips \|website=techrepublic \|url=https://www.techrepublic.com/article/ftdi-abuses-windows-update-pushing-driver-that-breaks-counterfeit-chips/ \|url-status=usurped \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307174533/https://www.techrepublic.com/article/ftdi-abuses-windows-update-pushing-driver-that-breaks-counterfeit-chips/ \|archive-date=7 Mar 2023 \|access-date=21 Jun 2026}}</ref><ref name="inject">{{Cite web \|date=1 Feb 2016 \|first=Brian \|last=Benchoff \|title=FTDI Drivers Break Fake Chips, Again \|url=https://hackaday.com/2016/02/01/ftdi-drivers-break-fake-chips-again/ \|url-status=live \|website=Hackaday \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260621180710/https://hackaday.com/2016/02/01/ftdi-drivers-break-fake-chips-again/ \|archive-date=21 Jun 2026}}</ref>

	==Incidents==		==Incidents==
	~~{{Ph-C-Inc}}~~

	~~This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}\|{{PAGENAME}} category]].~~		===Drivers Bricking Chips (2014)===
	===~~Example incident one~~ (~~''date''~~)===		FTDI pushed an automated driver update via Windows Update that targeted the FT232 chipset. The update bricked chips it detected to be counterfeits or clones by setting their PID to 0. Because the chip itself is not something users usually purchase by itself, but rather buy devices which include it, many users were not aware their chip was counterfeit, yet were still affected. The update's INF file included a disclaimer which mentioned that the driver "MAY IRRETRIEVABLY DAMAGE THAT COMPONENT" however, since it was installed through Windows Update, users were not able to see this file.
	~~{{Main\|link~~ to the ~~main CR Wiki article}}~~		Moreover even standalone chips, are reportedly difficult to tell apart from counterfeits and ensure you're getting genuine chips.<ref name="inject"></ref>
	~~Short summary~~ of ~~the incident (could be the same as the summary preceding the article)~~.		This sets a dangerous precedent, because if users start avoiding updates due to mistrust, they may end up vulnerable because of missed security updates.<ref name="brick></ref>
	===~~Example incident two~~ (~~''date''~~)===
	...		===Injecting Garbage Data(2016)===
			A functionality was added the FTDI driver through Windows Update that injected unwanted garbage data into the device's serial stream. The stream read "NON GENUINE DEVICE FOUND!” Because this was an undocumented functionality and because it is difficult to tell whether or not a chip is genuine, this may have caused issues in chips in all kinds of devices such as medical and industrial equipment as well as Arduinos.<ref name="inject"></ref>

	==Products==		==Products==
	~~{{Ph-C-P}}~~

	==See also==		==See also==
	~~{{Ph-C-SA}}~~

	==References==		==References==

Galomi04: added company alias

2026-06-21T17:06:15Z

added company alias

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:06, 21 June 2026
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{CompanyCargo		{{CompanyCargo
	\|Founded=1992-03-13		\|Founded=1992-03-13
			\|CompanyAlias=FTDI
	\|Industry=Semiconductors		\|Industry=Semiconductors
	\|Type=Private		\|Type=Private

Galomi04: Basic info on FTDI

2026-06-21T17:03:34Z

Basic info on FTDI

New page

{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=1992-03-13
|Industry=Semiconductors
|Type=Private
|Website=https://ftdichip.com/
|Description=Future Technology Devices International Limited (FTDI) is a fabless semiconductor company headquartered in Glasgow,Scotland.
}}
{{Ph-C-Int}}

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Ph-C-CIS}}

==Incidents==
{{Ph-C-Inc}}

This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
===Example incident one (''date'')===
{{Main|link to the main CR Wiki article}}
Short summary of the incident (could be the same as the summary preceding the article).
===Example incident two (''date'')===
...

==Products==
{{Ph-C-P}}

==See also==
{{Ph-C-SA}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]