Hacker Cracks Security Chip Known as 'Digital Fort Knox'
Hacker Christopher Tarnovsky has accomplished what many thought was nearly impossible: cracking the Trusted Platform Module (TPM). Described by some as a "digital Fort Knox," the TPM is a specialized processor dedicated to encrypting data and keeping sensitive information from prying eyes. The chips, found in many PCs, are an important line of defense for businesses and governments who need to protect their secrets.Tarnovsky was able to crack the flagship model from Infineon, which is one of the market leaders and has chips in PCs, smartphones, set-top boxes, and the Xbox 360.
There are two caveats. First, it's not known whether or not the attack would work on the TPMs of other chip makers, and, second, cracking the encryption requires physical access to the device. Considering how often laptops and cell phones are lost or stolen, however, getting physical access to a computer that holds sensitive data isn't nearly as hard as it should be.
The Trusted Computing Group, the standards group that governs TPM chips, stood by the technology as an effective way to secure data. The group told the Associated Press that the hack was "exceedingly difficult to replicate." Of course, "exceedingly difficult" is not impossible, and we suspect it's only a matter of time before we see the first attack that circumvents this formerly foolproof security measure. [From: Associated Press/Discovery News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Platinum_Skeet said 4:27PM on 2-09-2010
GAME OVER MAN! GAME OVER!!!
Reply
Vidi Wegz said 5:56PM on 2-09-2010
Well really what needs to be understood here is that nothing is ever going to be secure or hack proof. It's high time we went back to the feudal system and just kept our gold inside our castles and our information on parchment in the master library of said complex.
Reply
Platinum_Skeet said 7:28PM on 2-09-2010
If extremely vital data isn't being kept offnet and away from even government intranets by now then you our nation is screwed. Fortunately I don't think our government is that slow so I think we'll be ok for now...
Reply
Antarr Byrd said 9:31PM on 2-09-2010
so u didn't see how they left the videos streams from drones unencrypted?