Method and system for using tamperproof hardware to provide copy protection and online security

A processor based system, comprising:

• a storage device;
• a tamperproof circuit;
• a cryptography unit contained in the tamperproof circuit;
• and
• processing circuitry configured to read a portion of software code from the storage device that has been digitally signed with a first key prior to entering the system, and to send the portion of the software code to the cryptography unit;
• wherein the cryptography unit is configured to decrypt a signature file corresponding to the portion of the software code using a second key stored in the tamperproof circuit, and to determine whether the portion of the software code is valid;
• wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to prevent operation of the system if the portion of the software code is not valid.

A method of operating a system, comprising the steps of:

• receiving a first key in the system from a remote server across a network;
• reading a portion of encrypted code from a storage device in the system;
• sending the portion of the encrypted code to a cryptography unit contained in a tamperproof circuit associated with the system;
• decrypting the portion of the encrypted code with the cryptography unit using the first key to form decrypted code;
• and
• communicating across the network using the decrypted code.

A processor based system, comprising:

• a storage device;
• a tamperproof circuit;
• a cryptography unit contained in the tamperproof circuit;
• and
• processing circuitry configured to receive a first key from a remote server across a network, read a portion of encrypted code from the storage device, and send the portion of the encrypted code to the cryptography unit;
• wherein the cryptography unit is configured to decrypt the portion of the encrypted code using the first key to form decrypted code;
• wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to communicate across the network using the decrypted code.