New Intel Chips Contain Back-Door Processor, Hackable Even When Computer is Off

I pay extra for machines to have IPMI support. Remote power up and down, console access, all via a separate IP and SSH.

Unfortunately, I also trust the BMC less than the main machine, since I'm not fully in control of it. Separate VLANs and firewalling away from the main network can help.

As far as I'm aware, the 3G comment is uncorroborated. The anti theft system only works if the user has installed a 3G card. The chip can then access this card, decrypt the kill SMS and shutdown the chip.

Also think about it - you're locking the processor onto a board which mostly made of metal, under a big block of metal to cool it and then you're surrounding it all in a metal box with more metal around it. A 3G signal is no match for a Faraday cage.

This is not news. vPro is a system administration facility on some Intel processors aimed at enterprises and has been around for years.