Slashdot Mirror
Intel's Sandy Bridge Processor Has a Kill Switch
An anonymous reader writes "Intel's new Sandy Bridge processors have a new feature that the chip giant is calling Anti-Theft 3.0. The processor can be disabled even if the computer has no Internet connection or isn't even turned on, over a 3G network. With Intel anti-theft technology built into Sandy Bridge, David Allen, director of distribution sales at Intel North America, said that users have the option to set up their processor so that if their computer is lost or stolen, it can be shut down remotely."
What could possibly go wrong.
is there an on switch?
Cue rampant predictions of abuse, but I wonder if it can be combined with an on-chip encryption key to make full-disk encryption more effective (if complete control is given to the user)
That's good.... for hackers!
Knowing right out of the gate that some one else COULD have access to this kill feature is unnerving at best.
Why does this have to be IN the processor? Intel needs to calm down with the paranoid shit and just make processors.
An AMD proccesor.
Is it me or is this one of the dumbest ideas ever to come out of Intel?
Killing the cpu just means they have to transfer the drive to a new laptop in order to steal all your information? That's one whole extra step! That's innovation. --edfardos
sure, unless they have a somewhat sketchy cease & desist from the RIAA/MPAA...or if they simply don't want to piss off the feds (wikileaks anyone?). I'm sure they'll apologize later if they were wrong...as long as you can afford the lawyers to prove you were wrong...
When all of your wishes have been granted, many of your dreams will be destroyed - Marilyn Manson
Anyone else getting the vibe that since this thing will have a 3g connection on the backend, that it can be misused by others(governments) to track and remotely control/access your device. Geeeeeeeeee. This does not sound like a good idea... Well unless your the TSA.
I was looking forward to this CPU. Now, I am really going to research this. This may flip me back to AMD. I didn't like when Intel did the tracking on the PIII and the sound of this makes me just as uncomfortable.
Great people don't need people to complete them, great people complete other people. -- Matthew Pawlikowski.
Want to shut down the opposition's operations? Just disable their computers.
Do. Not. Want.
This to me says it will push foreign governments to non-intel machines. Can't risk the US government getting control of something like this.
Or any other power for that matter. No government or military would really want this on their systems. They might think they want it to "stop theft" but the consequences of someone else getting control are way to much.
What a pity all the important information is stored on the HD, not the CPU.
Why OpalCalc is the best Windows calc
Wow. More than 30 comments already and no-one has brought up Microsoft killing the cpu if it thinks your copy of the OS is pirated. Must be a slow day. ;)
You're just jealous 'cuz the voices talk to *me*
...Until some hacker finds a security flaw in the system used to send the kill signals, and goes on a rampage disabling as many computers as they can (which fate will ensure will be the vast majority that have been sold with these processors at the least, and after thousands/millions of them have been sold and are in average users' desktops/laptops). Que a shitload of inconvenienced customers and tech support guys wanting to blow their brains out from all the calls they will be getting.
After years of not using a signature, I am going to make one to say the following: Fuck Beta
I don't work for Intel, so I don't know exactly how they do this. But I don't think this is all the processor (it won't work without a 3G radio for one, so at least some of this capability rests in the mainboard), and how much is the firmware.
My guess is when you boot the machine, the processor runs the BIOS/EFI, and when initializing the 3G radio it sees if there is a flag. If so, the system shuts down. If it does this before even looking for an OS or starting up the display, you'd never know it even tried to boot. Otherwise, it goes on its way.
Also I only see this being used on laptop systems (as they are the only systems likely to have a 3G radio). Adding a 3G radio to a desktop mainboard seems like a waste of money (but if you are the CIA, maybe it's worth it).
- silvein
I'm afraid I just don't agree.
The way I see it, ANY piece of hardware that has a built-in ability to receive some command that renders it completely non-functional is hardware with a DESIGN FLAW.
If it's in there someplace, you can be sure that eventually, the malware/spyware writers will devise some way to trigger it. (I can see the plan forming already. Software pops up and demands a random fee be paid online, or else it will kill your CPU.)
Most of us find the ability to remote kill a cellphone more acceptable, because those devices are relatively disposable. People often receive them at heavily discounted rates as part of a service contract for a year or two, and it's rare the user actually keeps the same unit after that contract is up for a renewal. Besides, if you quit paying for a monthly contract for a phone, you've got a barely useful device in your hands at that point, anyway. (The way contract phones are handled in the USA right now, they really could do just as well to lease the things to people.)
1. Sell CPU.
2. Break it remotely.
3. Goto step 1.
since it doesn't explain how this works, or what's it's really all about.
It doesn't permanently disable the processor, you can revive it if you know the password. To do a kill over 3G, you send an encrypted SMS, and the laptop obviously needs 3G capability and the OS needs to be running.
"National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law
I think airplane autopilots are still on 386 or at least they where in 2005.
True. Think about how FEW processors are even dual-core outside of home PCs.
This will be like Vista.
I don't believe this anti-theft crap for one second. You know what this is.. it's a kill switch for the **AA's to hold over your head. Mark my words this is not for YOUR security, it's security for your corporation/government.
A version of 386ex is used by Honeywell and Garmin in many products. They do have a kill switch as required by DO-254 standart. A dead processor is better than a crazy one.
This is public knowledge since 2006:
The FBI appears to have begun using a novel form of electronic surveillance in criminal investigations: remotely activating a mobile phone's microphone and using it to eavesdrop on nearby conversations.
The technique is called a "roving bug," and was approved by top U.S. Department of Justice officials for use against members of a New York organized crime family who were wary of conventional surveillance techniques such as tailing a suspect or wiretapping him.
Nextel cell phones owned by two alleged mobsters, John Ardito and his attorney Peter Peluso, were used by the FBI to listen in on nearby conversations. The FBI views Ardito as one of the most powerful men in the Genovese family, a major part of the national Mafia.
http://news.com.com/FBI+taps+cell+phone+mic+as+eavesdropping+tool/2100-1029_3-6140191.html
Cellular carriers will remotely update the firmware of a smartphone by government request in order to turn your apparently inactive phone into an active microphone.
...about protecting the consumer from computer theft, they would target the HD and RAM (where data is held). "Security RAM" that instantly self-erases when it is disturbed could be a beneficial feature for some.
Instead, the only significant thing Intel's new feature does is give the US government a channel for denying powerful CPUs to its enemies during a conflict.