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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/secplus-tpm-chip

A tamper-resistant chip on a computer's motherboard that generates and stores cryptographic keys is called what?

TPM, a secure crypto-processor built into the device.

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  1. A Trusted Platform Module (TPM) ✔
  2. A hardware load balancer
  3. A smart card reader

Why: A TPM generates and protects keys inside hardware, so malware has a hard time stealing them. Disk encryption and device checks often use it.

Huh, didn't know that: Microsoft says a TPM can also store measurements of the boot process to help ensure platform integrity.

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What is a computer geek's favorite snack? Microchips.
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References

Answer: A Trusted Platform Module (TPM). A TPM generates and protects keys inside hardware, so malware has a hard time stealing them. Disk encryption and device checks often use it.

  1. NIST CSRC Glossary: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) csrc.nist.gov/glossary/term/trusted_platform_module
    A tamper-resistant integrated circuit built into some computer motherboards that can perform cryptographic operations (including key generation)
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  2. Microsoft Learn, Trusted Platform Module technology overview learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/hardware-security/tpm/trusted-platform-module-overview
    Help ensure platform integrity by taking and storing security measurements of the boot process.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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