Gregory's Server@riku @i_lost_my_bagel I'll admit that when I first read the post I may have pooped a little and thought that it sounded like a terrible security flaw. I thought I might be dropping a dozen laptops off for recycling.
While screwing around I think I saw that only the newest version has the ability to use WiFi. I am guessing at the numbers here... but I think 2.4, 2.6, and 4.0 do NOT work via WiFi, while 6.0 does. If anybody reading this is banking on those version numbers please go check rather taking my word for it.
I think the part that irritates me most is how [as you just said] it is not possible to audit the code, and that it could be already setup when buying a used device. The damage *should* still be limited to the local LAN, but it *should* have a more obvious "off button".
@jmhorner @i_lost_my_bagel
yeah, this has been widely known and criticised ever since intel first introduced it. clearly not widely enough, if users still don't know about it.
those version numbers refer to specific chipset generations btw, since the ime is inside the pch. so 6.0 is ibex peak, not exactly bleeding edge.
i very much think only code that i approve of should run on my machine. it's the principle.