PadLock Security Engine

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PadLock Security Engine (PadLock) is an invention of VIA Technologies for the generation of random numbers ( RNG ) and for encryption on a computer chip. The technology is integrated in various x86 processor families manufactured by VIA .

VIA has added additional opcodes to the x86 instruction set to give programmers access to the random number and cryptology functions.

The random number generator was first used in January 2003 in the VIA C5XL Core. In October 2003, an AES cryptography unit was added to the VIA C5P Core . From 2005 units for SHA -1 and SHA-2 checksum algorithms were added, as well as a Montgomery multiplier.

Random number generator in PadLock

Due to the technology used, computers work deterministically and therefore cannot calculate real random numbers using software ( pseudo-random numbers ). Real coincidence can only be generated by external influences. Traditionally, computers use random mouse movements or keyboard inputs to generate entropy . The quantum random number generator used at PadLock gains the necessary entropy by measuring oscillating electrons , or, to put it simply, from their heat noise .

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