Hidden identification

摘要

One or more embodiments of the invention provide a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for limiting unauthorized access to digital services. A hidden non-modifiable identification number (614) is embedded into a nonvolatile memory component (606). The nonvolatile memory component (606) is used to contain state information to provide desired functionality and enforce one or more security policies for accessing the digital services. Also, the hidden number (614) uniquely identifies a device (512) containing the nonvolatile memory component (606) and access to the digital services is based on access rights associated with the hidden number (614). Once embedded, access to the nonvolatile memory component (606) is isolated such that access to the identification number (614) is limited to a fixed state custom logic block (612), the nonvolatile memory component (606) is protected from modification such that it is read only, and the nonvolatile memory component (606) is not directly accessible via a system bus (610).