US Patent 8984296 Device driver self authentication method and system

A method for device driver self authentication is provided. The method includes accessing a device driver having encrypted authentication parameters therein including, for instance, a vendor identification, a device identification, a serial number, an expiration date and a filename. The method includes executing an authentication portion of the device driver to generate a message digest of these parameters and comparing the message digest to a stored digest for a match thereof. The method further includes loading the device driver only if the authentication portion successfully authenticates the device driver, e.g., there is a match. The method can be applied to USB device drivers and peripherals.