The New Apple
Security Chips for Intel
August 8th 2005
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TPM Security Chip |
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Apple started shipping Developer Transition Kits
to help developers create software that will run on the new Macs
that will be using the Intel Processor Chips. These computers
contained a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) security chip. These
chips will be used to prevent software developed for Apple from
being used on non-Apple Machines.
Apple has been using IBM made processors for their
Macs, but next year they will be switching to Intel. It is hoped
the TPM chip will prevent users from installing Apples operating
system (OS X for the Intel) it on other Intel machines.
The chips have previously been installed on HP and
IBM machines to provide a secure way to store passwords or encrypted
data for the Enterprise Market. The chips will block a thieves
access to a hard drive even if the hard drive is swapped out to
another machine. It will also prevent thieves from booting a system
from the Floppy Drive.
The TPM chip is an open standard developed by the
non-profit Trusted Computing Group. The group devises these types
of security standards. Each chip will contain an encrypted serial
number that allows the operating system to verify whether it is
running on a
genuine Apple machine.
It may be possible to use the chip as a
anti-piracy tool. For example, in the future it may require a user
to provide proof of ownership of a piece of music. Some of the
newer media player software requires a similar type of evidence.
This type of chip could become a hardware “key”.
It may be possible to hack the key, and maybe even
install the OS X on a non-Apple machine, but the real concern for
most users is privacy. Will the chip be used to monitor, log and
track a client’s Internet browsing habits? Some have expressed
concern, but most experts believe it will not be used for an
invasion of privacy.
If you have any comments or corrections please
email me.
By Dan Wilson
Best Syndication Staff Writer
Apple Products
Keywords and misspellings: Apple aple
comuter |
