Patent ID: 7774617

Claim:
A method, in a data processing system having a boot processor and a plurality of non-boot processors, for masking execution of a boot code sequence in the data processing system, comprising: executing the boot code sequence on the boot processor to thereby boot the data processing system to an operational state; executing a first masking code sequence on at least one first non-boot processor, of the plurality of non-boot processors, to thereby generate at least one first set of electromagnetic or thermal signatures that approximate an electromagnetic or thermal signature of the execution of the boot code sequence on the boot processor, thereby masking the execution of the boot code sequence on the boot processor; and executing a second masking code sequence on a second non-boot processor, of the plurality of non-boot processors, to thereby generate at least one second set of electromagnetic or thermal signatures that are different from the electromagnetic or thermal signature of the execution of the boot code sequence on the boot processor, thereby making the second non-boot processor appear to be the boot processor.