Linux

Personally, I don't see how a TPM module is more useful than full disk encryption with a password you enter on boot.

I struggle to see how it makes automatic login safer given it does nothing to protect against the really common threat of someone physically stealing your laptop or desktop.

I don't trust any encryption or authentication system that I don't have access to the keys for. Microsoft has also kinda made me feel it's more for vendor lock in, like they did with secure boot.

Still, I'm probably being unreasonably pessimistic about it though - be interested to see any practical use cases of it.

I use it for Data-at-rest Encryption. Not much else though.

The problem with this is that the key would be “machine based” and not “person”

So it’s better for “service accounts”

100% Yes

• Currently using systemd-creds to displace any secrets in env

• Spending time getting to grips with Keylime

Usually because its not portable. A USB security key costs more than the TPM you already have, but you can make a backup and store it in a safe

I use it for storing luks credentials, so every time I boot I get dropped at my login manager. It leaves my system vunerable to attacks to it, but its quite convenient.

Besides, if anyone tries to boot any other OS which is not mine, the keys are erased.

Outside of Microsoft and Windows, what’s the application for it? Does Linux or UNIX have much use for TPM? Pardon, my ignorance, but I bet this is a good place to ask!

A security module or a key fob/smart card processes the key internally using its own dedicated ram and cpu without any debugging support. This way, even something will full ram and cpu access or a compromise of your machine, there is no way to export or access the key. Data is passed to the module and it returns the scrambled or unscrambled result based on the key which no body knows or has ever seen. A key locked with no way to access can’t be hacked without physically stealing the module, which is where your pin comes in to save you. The TPM is a very important part of a secure boot chain. If you want to secure other things I wouldn’t blame you for using a separate module or fob that isn’t always connected util it’s actually needed and it should only be activated with a physical button or something so you have to be present to engage with it. This adds even more security. So you could use the TPM for boot chain security and a separate fob or data privacy for example.

i use it to auto unlock luks. if someone messed with the hardware/ bios, it will ask for the password next boot.