Next-generation secure computing bases

The Next-Generation Secure Computing Bases ( NGSCB , literally: Base of protected information of new generation) or protected computer of the next generation belongs to the new architecture of Microsoft for the Informatique of confidence. This project was known under the name of Palladium, the name was changed into 2003, according to Microsoft because of the existence of an editor of the same name. The name change could be due to the bad publicity from which suffered the Palladium denomination.

NGSCB extensively uses the cryptographic processor called Puce Fritz of the name of the Senator states-unien Ernest “Fritz” Hollings which supported number of articles of the American law supporting this project.

Under NGSCB, the operating system Microsoft Windows will work in a protected environment. The basic principles are to include the Cryptographie within the operating system in order to make safe the transactions between process, the processes and the Random access memory, between the processes and the hard drive, and between the processes and the peripherals of input/output (keyboard, mouse, monitor…).

This principle would allow inter alia:

to make sure that files recorded by a certain application, can be read or modified only by this same application or another authorized application. This system is called Sealed storage (or sealed storage) by Microsoft.
to protect the system against the code execution unauthorized. In particular viruses, but also any application which would not be expressly authorized by the user or the administrator.

According to Microsoft, the goal is to solve the problems of Computer security and to create distributed applications of a new type where each component can make confidence with the other parts of the system (software or material) even if those belong to a distant system.

The detractors of the project, often related to the movement of the Free software show it to be an attempt at Microsoft to control the market of the software and computer material. Some also fear that a Palladium platform can control all the operations carried out on the system, like navigation Web and the emails. It is also reproached Microsoft for wanting to use its quasi-monopoly on the personal computers to reach a monopoly on the systems of Gestion of the digital rights (DRM). Microsoft announced besides to have for intention to found the “numerical management of the rights” on all the computers of planet.

See too

External bonds

EFF' S Trusted Computing: Promised and Risk
Presentation of NGSCB by Microsoft
System Integrity TEAM blog
Fair with the questions critical of the NGSCB

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Next-generation secure computing bases

See too

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