Patent ID: 7082615
Filing Date: 2006-07-25
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. An apparatus comprising: a key generator to generate an operating system nub key (OSNK) unique to an operating system (OS) nub, the OS nub being part of an operating system to run on a platform comprising a processor capable of operating in an isolated execution mode in a ring 0 operating mode, wherein the processor also supports one or more higher ring operating modes, as well as a normal execution mode in at least the ring 0 operating mode; and a usage protector coupled to the key generator to protect usage of a subset of a software environment using the OSNK; the key generator to generate the OSNK based at least in part on a master binding key (BK wherein the usage protector performs at least one operation selected from the group consisting of: encrypting a value while operating in isolated execution mode; and decrypting an encrypted value while operating in isolated execution mode.