VIA chips accelerate Windows encryption

Windows applications gain from security on processors

VIA Technologies is making it easier for Windows applications to benefit from the security hardware built into its processors.

The Taiwanese chipmaker has released VIA PadLock Cryptographic Service Provider (CSP), a software module that integrates with Microsoft's Cryptographic Application Programming Interface (CryptoAPI). Windows applications that call the Microsoft CryptoAPI for security functions will thus get an automatic boost from the VIA PadLock Security Engine when running on VIA-based systems.

“The VIA PadLock CSP is a practical tool that takes full advantage of the cryptographic strength of our VIA C7 processor family to better protect users from today’s security threats,” said Chris Bennetts, international marketing specialist for VIA Technologies.

The PadLock Security Engine includes hardware acceleration for AES and RSA encryption, plus SHA-1 and SHA-256 secure hash generation. VIA's C7 processors are used in some Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC) models, thin clients, and other applications.