[ale] Letter of Volatility

[Jim Kinney]

Almost. The row refresh rate is set to be faster than the decay rate. The
decay rate is far longer (closer to an order of magnitude for total loss)
but the rate is set to ensure no loss at all.

It is possible to move RAM from one running system to a special system by
using liquid nitrogen to freeze the RAM, quickly move RAM to special system
that can start RAM refresh on a new populated slot without a reboot.
Timeframe for this changes from nanoseconds to seconds. With liquid helium
it changes to minutes.

It's this time frame that is the security risk. It underlines the need for
physical security of systems.

I have a vague recollection of high security RAM that could detect being
unplugged and it would discharge a capacitor across the banks to zap them.


On Fri, Jan 31, 2014 at 8:41 AM, Matt Hessel <matt.hessel at gmail.com> wrote:

> Technically RAM only maintains the contents as long as the row refresh
> rate, which for DDR3 is measured in nano seconds.
> On Jan 29, 2014 1:15 PM, "Greg Clifton" <gccfof5 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Maybe this is Off Topic, but it is computer related. So here is the deal,
>> I have a RFQ to quote on some computers to go into a classified application
>> and the customer wants a Letter of Volatility. Now, obviously, the mass
>> storage will be removable, but they are concerned about any memory in the
>> system. I take this to include both volatile SDRAM (DDR3) and any
>> non-volatile memory such as the CMOS for the BIOS (is it possible that some
>> bot could be lurking there that could grab data and send it out when the
>> computer is turned on?).
>>
>> My question is basically, how long does DDR3 maintain any recoverable
>> data once the power is turned off. I would assume that power should be
>> totally removed (as in unplugged from the wall) so that there is not even
>> 5V standby power, no?
>>
>> Comments and especially links to solid information would be appreciated.
>>
>> Thanks in advance,
>> Greg Clifton
>>
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-- 
-- 
James P. Kinney III

Every time you stop a school, you will have to build a jail. What you gain
at one end you lose at the other. It's like feeding a dog on his own tail.
It won't fatten the dog.
- Speech 11/23/1900 Mark Twain


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