Patent ID: 8302174

Claim:
A system for use with a host computer for securing key credential information provided by a user of the host computer against any malware resident in a motherboard of the host computer, the host computer configured for network communications with a remote computer through a communications network interface, the system comprising secure logic circuitry configured for connection between the communications network interface and the motherboard and a secure user interface configured for connection to the secure logic circuitry, wherein: (a) the secure logic circuitry is configured for: (i) detecting a request message indicative of a request for the key credential information; (ii) upon detection of the request message, generating a prompt message for transmission to the secure user interface for prompting the user to provide the key credential information; and, (iii) absent processing by the motherboard, receiving and providing the key credential information to the remote computer through the communications network interface while not providing the key credential information to the motherboard; and, (b) the secure user interface is configured for: (i) using the prompt message to alert the user to provide the key credential information; (ii) receiving the key credential information from the user; and, (iii) providing the key credential information to the secure logic circuitry; wherein the key credential information received by the secure user interface and provided to the secure logic circuitry is blocked from transmission to the motherboard and secured against any malware resident in the motherboard.