Computer memory is a fundamental component of computing that enables processors to store, access, and manage data and instructions. This article explains the evolution, hierarchy, organization, addressing, access, virtual memory, management, architecture, performance, and modern applications of computer memory, providing a comprehensive foundation for understanding how memory supports computer systems.
Computer memory threats and attacks can expose sensitive data, corrupt application memory, disrupt system availability, or influence program execution. Common concerns include memory corruption, buffer overflows, memory disclosure, out-of-bounds access, use-after-free, and memory exhaustion. Understanding these risks helps explain how memory compromise can affect confidentiality, integrity, availability, applications, and computing systems.