Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

Microsoft has recently announced a new security chip which they have created in order to protect future Windows-powered computers. The chip, known as Microsoft Pluton will be directly built into future CPUs.

The Microsoft Pluton chip will replace the existing Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip which is at present used to secure hardware and cryptocurrency keys.

It also integrates the chip inside the future Intel, AMD and Qualcomm processor units. The company said that this will make it far more difficult for hackers with physical access to the system to launch hardware attacks and extract sensitive data.

Meet the Microsoft Pluton processor – The security chip designed for the future of Windows PCs - Microsoft Security
Image Source : Microsoft

Microsoft Pluton was initially introduced in Xbox One in 2013 and made it more difficult for gamers to hack the console or run pirated games. It was available later to the company’s cloud service Azure Sphere for low-cost loT devices.

The tech giant will bring the same technology with a few improvements to Windows-10 powered computing devices. Unlike the existing TPMs that are separate from the CPU, the new Pluton seems like an evolution backed into a CPU.

David Weston who is the Director of Enterprise and OS security at Microsoft said that the new chip is better, stronger, faster and more consistent TPM. So, features like BitLocker encryption or Windows Hello authentication will transition for using Pluton in the future.

At present, its unknown when computers with this new MS Pluton chips will start shipping but already, brands like Intel, AMD and Qualcomm have agreed to integrate the chip in their future CPUs. Pluton is also available for building custom PCs and it has also been said that Linux support is coming in the future.