Phoenix Technologies (maker of all HP Pavilion’s BIOS) since 2003 along with adhering to TCG (TrustedComputing Group) specifications has developed its own version of Trusted Computing compliant platform. This version is called “TrustedCore” and is default on all the HP Pavilion product line. (Immediately after booting your laptop repeatedly press ESC key and you could read the TrustedCore logo).

Independent reviews have shown that Phoenix TC implementation is far less open standard compliant than AMI’s one, thus leading to some more concerns about its reliability and users privacy.

TrustedCore has its own internal cryptographic system capable of performing most of traditional TPM (Trusted Platform Module) tasks. It is, for example, capable of computing the PCR (Platform Configuration Register) necessary for SecureBoot tasks and to check the integrity of the firmware used by the BIOS.

It seems a double  implementation of the TCG specifications. All this could lead to having a Trusted Computing tainted machine without even knowing, since once again the name has been changed to fool the customers. The lack of the TPM (the TC chip) could lead customers believe their laptop is actually TC-free, but unfortunately this may not be the case.

A part from its peculiar implementation, TrustedCore Phoenix BIOS also supports the TCG standards and thus is also capable to run a machine having a TPM.

• You can read the official documentation here: www.phoenix.com
• Phoenix TrustedCore specifications

Why Trusted Computing may endanger your freedom and privacy:

• Article: ‘Can you trust your computer?’ by Richard Stallman
• ‘Trusted Computing FAQ’ by Ross Anderson
• ‘Trusted Computing’ definition by Wikipedia
• ‘Trusted Computing – An animated short’ by Benjamin Stephan and Lutz Vogel
• Presentation: ‘Trusted Computing Platform Alliance: The mother(board) of all Big Brothers’ by Lucky Green
• Schneier on Security weblog – About Trusted Computing Best Practices
• www.no1984.org