Intel's spy software extends to the home

GIVEN THAT its Active Management Technology (AMT) is building built into its desktop and laptop processors, this snooping tech will soon find its way into the home, according to Intel's Brendan Traw.

He demoed how a Chinese ISV, Starsoftcomm, has already developed AMT compatible software which it is aiming at ISPs.

The idea is that the ISP can remotely fix a problem PC - even if it has experienced the infamous Blue screen of Death.

In the IDF demo, Starsoftcomm's software opened up secure connexion. The remote console then ran diagnostic software and was able to fix the problem, then reboot the PC.

Obviously, such a facility will be a great boon to any supplier having to deal with the general public. However, despite the assurances that the system is totally, it is a very worrying capability.

Traw insisted that only the home PC can trigger a secure connexion to the ISP. However, he was forced to admit that it would be up to the software vendor and the ISP to let consumers know what 'policies' actually trigger the connexion.

Trying to remove Windows and replace it with Linux, for example? µ