The Intel Management Engine Issue
Most Intel chipsets have the Intel Management Engine. We will call this IME. IME is in a separate, tiny microprocessor on your motherboard. IME does stuff “during boot-up, while the computer is running, and while it is asleep”. You’ll need to do a little reading to fully understand it but security and privacy experts say this is a security and privacy risk.
PC manufacturers are now selling systems with IME disabled.
You can try and disable this yourself. There isn’t any way in h-e-double-toothpicks I would attempt it.
Got IME?
Download, extract, and run the following. It will tell you your IME version if you have it and check for the current vulnerability.
Intel-SA-00086 Detection Tool
Further reading:
Intel Management Engine Flaws Leave Millions of PCs Exposed
Intel’s Management Engine is a security hazard, and users need a way to disable it
The Net Neutrality Discussion – What The Tech (FF video to approx the 47 minute mark)
Thanks Eric. I am also unsure whether to disable it and what will be the repercussions for a home computer. Thanks to you, I visited my motherboard manufacturer (ASUS) site and found 2 updates – 1 for ME Update tool and other an updated driver for IMEI for my motherboard.