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Politics : Formerly About Advanced Micro Devices -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Jim McMannis who wrote (50821)	2/24/1999 10:17:00 AM
From: Bruce A. Thompson	Respond to of 1572649

Pentium III serial number is soft switchable after all Intels privacy strategy changed again The controversial serial number of the new Pentium III processors can be read on the quiet after all. Contrary to Intels description so far, the system architecture allows for individual identification by software tricks without a users explicit allowance or notice. Intels new technique for securing E-Commerce transactions already caused quite a stir as the Pentium III presentations approached. Privacy advocates expected the readable serial number to act as a "permanent cookie" and to produce the completely transparent surfer. The processor manufacturer appeased with the guarantee, the user would have full control whether he would allow the read-out of the serial number. Once switched off, the corresponding processor command could not be activated until the next cold start. This description has proved wrong. The processor expert of c't magazine, Andreas Stiller, has figured out a procedure to switch on the command for reading out the serial number by software. This procedure is based on specific features of the system architecture that are documented. They would have got around in cracker circles sooner or later. A spokesperson from Intel confirmed upon inquiry by c't, that the serial number can be re-activated this way. Intels solution is a renewed correction of announcements how privacy in spite of the serial number could be guaranteed: whereas only a software tool for switching the serial number on and off was intended so far, now the PC manufacturers are encouraged to integrate the configuration of the switching into the BIOS. This way, the switching on by software could be prevented. Earlier Intel had rejected this method with the argument, changes in the BIOS setup could not be expected from untrained users. Intel said that the BIOS manufacturers had been informed correspondingly. Also, they had been equipped with software samples. It remains to be seen, how many manufacturers will be able to incorporate appropriate BIOS functions into the first delivered Pentium III systems and how they are configured by default. To top it all, the new privacy concept has holes, too: after all, the BIOS setting has to be stored in the CMOS memory. Someone who knows the respective BIOS very well can crack this, too. Christian Persson