Bios protection device preventing execution of a boot program stored in the bios memory until the boot program is authenticated
US7464256B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 17, 2004 |
| Grant date | Dec 9, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 23, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F21/575
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A processing system including a bios protection device and method of protecting a bios is provided. The system comprises a central processor (11), and a BIOS memory device (18) to which the BIOS protection device (17) is interconnected by address and data paths (16). At start-up, the BIOS protection device (17) takes control of the memory address and data paths (16) and prevents execution of a boot program stored in the BIOS memory device (18) until the BIOS protection device (17) has verified that the boot program stored in the BIOS memory device (18) is authentic. The BIOS protection device (17) is connected to the processing system between a central processor (11) and the BIOS memory device (18), and includes address and data path interface connection means (24, 25), and an authentication processor (21). When power is applied to the BIOS protection device (17), the BIOS protection device (17) takes control of address and data path(s) (16) to which it is connected and the authentication processor (21) interrogates the BIOS memory device (18) connected to the address and data path(s) (16) to determine if the boot program contained in the BIOS memory device (18) is authentic. Only …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.