JackLuis
Literotica Guru
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2008
- Posts
- 21,881
Notice how we get distracted about things and then something unexpected and shitty happens?
Intel x86s Hide Another CPU That Can Take Over Your Machine -- You Can't Audit it
Who's your Big Brother Now?
Intel x86s Hide Another CPU That Can Take Over Your Machine -- You Can't Audit it
Further explaining the matter, the author claims that a system with a mainboard and Intel x86 CPU comes with Intel Management Engine (ME), a subsystem composed of a special 32-bit ARC microprocessor that's physically located inside the chipset. It is an "extra general purpose computer." The problem resides in the way this "extra-computer" works. It runs completely out-of-band with the main x86 CPU "meaning that it can function totally independently even when your main CPU is in a low power state like S3 (suspend)." On some chipsets, the firmware running on the ME implements a system called Intel's Active Management Technology (AMT). This is entirely transparent to the operating system, which means that this extra computer can do its job regardless of which operating system is installed and running on the main CPU.
Who's your Big Brother Now?