According to Via, Padlock RSA can be used by Windows
CryptoAPI (Cryptographic Application Programming Interface) functions to offload computationally intensive security algorithms to the C7 processors'
Padlock Security Engine hardware. Padlock RSA (see footnote) is compatible with most forms of Windows and Windows Embedded -- including Windows XP, Windows XP Embedded, and Windows CE, as well as Vista -- and can be accessed by applications without modification, the company says.
The Padlock Security Engine is described as a "comprehensive set" of military-grade hardware security tools that includes the "world's fastest" x86 AES cipher engine, a secure hash engine, a Montgomery Multiplier to accelerate public key encryption, and dual Quantum based random number generators. The hardware can accelerate public key encryption by up to 275 percent, according to Via.
Padlock RSA appears to be a successor to, or update of, the
Cryptographic Service Provider (CSP) software module announced by Via last August.
Via's VP of corporate marketing, Richard Brown, stated, "The VIA PadLock RSA Module is a welcome addition to the comprehensive suite of security software available that leverages the power and cryptographic strength of the VIA PadLock Security Engine. By simplifying the process of strengthening security in everyday computing, VIA has reinforced its proactive approach to computer security."
The Padlock RSA Module can be downloaded free-of-charge from Via's ViaArena website,
here.
Note: The acronym "RSA" is based on the initials of the surnames of Ron Rivest, Adi Shamir, and Leonard Adleman, who first publicly described the RSA algorithm at MIT in 1977 (source: wikipedia).
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