Researchers say Intel's Management Engine feature can be switched off

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From http://www.zdnet.com/article/researchers-say-intels-management-engine-feature-can-be-switched-off/:

“It seems some government customers can request Intel’s always-on Management Engine (ME) ‘master controller’ for its CPUs to be disabled.

That’s not an option for the general public, but researchers at Russian security firm Positive Technologies have found a way to use these government-only privileges to disable ME.”

Related: Critical Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability in Various INTEL Firmware.

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Kirsty, Elly

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I noted in the linked zdnet article that in disabling ME “users may destroy their device”…
Not exactly reassuring, is it?!

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Intel ME is mostly found in high-end OEM Business PCs and Consumer PCs.

Intel ME allows the corporations to remotely manage their PCs which may be located in distant branches. Through Intel ME, the corporation’s System Admin can even remotely wake-up a computer that has been shut-down as long as it is still connected to the AC wall outlet or electrical socket, eg to remotely upgrade it’s Win 10 OS to the latest Version or install a new app/program = as if the System Admin is physically present in front of the remote computer(teleporting.?).

If the corporation’s Intel ME system is hacked, the repercussions can be severe.

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My Lenovo P50 has 3 options in bios,

Enable

Disable

Disable permenantly (can not be reenabled)

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