IBM has begun using new security hardware from National
Semiconductor in its desktop PCs in an effort to fend off viruses
and hackers.
National Semiconductor's SafeKeeper Trusted I/O devices add to
its existing chip design a "trusted platform module" , a micro
controller that stores passwords, digital certificates and
encryption keys.
The idea behind hardware-based security is that information
stored in a PC's firmware is less vulnerable to attack than data
protected only by software.
TPM-stored data can, for instance, be used to authenticate a
computer on a network, providing identity information in a way that
is harder to forge.
IBM, which has used TPMs in its PCs for the past five years,
said the devices are being used in ThinkCentre models featuring its
IBM Embedded Security Subsystem.
Stacy Cowley writes for IDG News Service
