Microsoft Pluto processor comes to laptops: what is this mysterious security technology?

On By Garmin Philip

Announced a year ago, the Microsoft Pluto security processor debuts in Lenovo’s AMD laptops. What is it for?

For years, modern processors have support chips that offer security features. It is the case of the classic TPM (Trusted Platform Module) that is causing so many headaches with Windows 11.

The problem is that these chips external to the processor can be compromised, precisely through the communication channel between said chip and the CPU. That’s why now companies integrate them into the CPU itself.

This is the case of the T2 chip of Apple processors, or the Titan M of Google. And now also, Microsoft’s Pluto, which will be released in Lenovo laptops with AMD processors, as confirmed at CES 2022 Microsoft itself.

This Microsoft laptop is available in various configurations, with an 11th generation Core i5 or i7 processor, also Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 7, in addition to variable storage, always of the SSD type.

Microsoft Pluto is a security processor that is integrated into the CPU. For now, in future processors AMD Ryzen 6000, just announced.

Pluton is used for store sensitive information such as BitLoker passwords, user identity, personal information, firmware, etc. basically it is like TPM but inside the processor. This eliminates the vulnerabilities of the TPM when it communicates with the CPU.

This information that is stored on Pluto cannot be destroyed or spied on not even when a cybercriminal has installed a virus or has the PC controlled with a Trojan.

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Microsoft Pluto has the technology Secure Hardware Cryptography Key (SHACK), which makes that information never goes outside the limits of the hardware, thus offering maximum peace of mind to Windows computer users.

Microsoft Pluto was introduced in 2020, but it is only now that it hits the market. futures Lenovo laptops with AMD Ryzen 6000 processors that will come out this year will carry the Microsoft Pluto chip inside.

A new measure designed to protect our PCs from ransomware and viruses. Let’s hope it is effective and does not have to be replaced after a few years, as has happened with TPM.

Reference-computerhoy.com