Microsoft signs anti-hacking licence

Dave Bailey, Computing, Friday 30 July 2010 at 10:25:00

The software company is working with cryptography experts to prevent
sophisticated hacking attacks

Microsoft has teamed up with an encryption company to help prevent modern
hacking attacks.

Cryptography company
Cryptography Research
has announced a licence agreement with Microsoft to thwart Differential Power
Analysis (DPA) hacking.

DPA is a type of hacking that involves monitoring the fluctuating electrical
power consumption of a device while it is being used.

For example, monitoring the power consumption of a keyboard while the user
types in sensitive information.

Advanced statistical methods are then used to derive cryptographic keys and
other secrets.

DPA is defined as a 'side channel attack'. This means it is an attack based
on information gained from physical cryptographic hardware, rather than software
oriented methods.

Other side channels include electromagnetic radiation leaks or sound
analysis.

President and chief scientist at Cryptography Research Paul Kocher said, "
DPA countermeasures are becoming increasingly important for complex devices."

Such devices include pay TV security and anti-counterfeiting technology to
safeguard medical devices, aircraft parts and even printer consumables.

Countermeasures to DPA are important to protect information used in mobile
devices and banking, for example.

Full story at http://www.computing.co.uk/computing/news/2267312/microsoft-licenses-differential