Method and system for enhancing security access to a data processing system

Abstract

A method and system for checking security when a request for system access is received by a computer system within a network environment is disclosed. When a request for system access into a network environment is first received, a service processor checks a fixed non-null pattern and based on its results performs a Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) on the contents of CMOS memory to verify its authenticity. An IEEE-standard CRC algorithm is used to confirm that the data in the CMOS memory has not been corrupted. If the fixed non-null pattern and/or CRC algorithm confirms that no corruption exists, then the service processor prompts the user for a system password and performs the normal authentication checks between the entered password and a stored password. If the CRC algorithm detects that corruption exists, then the service processor determines where the request was received. In response to a determination that the request was received remotely, then access is denied as a security threat. If the service processor determines that the request was received locally, then access to the network environment is granted to the user.