DealsOnTheWeb Daily Deal: OneCall's Weekend Sale - 20 Great Items at Great Prices All Weekend Long
Intel Working on Notebook Anti-Theft Technology
by , 3:50 PM EDT, April 3rd, 2008
Intel announced on Wednesday that that they're working on an anti-theft technology that would render a stolen notebook computer useless, according to The Register. The operation of the CPU would be tied to the login authentication.
Details remain sparse, and Intel's Mobility Group chief, Dadi Perlmutter, provided few specifics. Basically, however, the notebook computer would be disabled if the proper password were not entered. The idea is to discourage theft.
Currently, hard disks in notebook computers can be encrypted. Even so, that doesn't keep a thief from simply replacing the hard disk. The Intel system would work during the start up process itself so that a thief who doesn't know the system password wouldn't be able to operate the computer at all.
The results are expected in Q4, but then the question is when and how fast manufacturers incorporate the technology. Since modern Macs are Intel-based, it's reasonable to surmise that Apple would be interested in the technology.
Currently, Apple includes a feature called FileVault that encrypts the user's hard disk. If the password is forgotten, the data is permanently lost. So while locking up the computer itself is a much bigger deal in terms of potential customer support issues, it isn't without some degree of precedent by Apple.
Observer Comments
While the intention of the technology sounds interesting the article sounds a little misleading regarding current technologies.
While it's never stated explicitly the article seems to push the idea that encrypting your data is all you can do to protect your Mac. Of course, there are examples of startup based protection systems everywhere, so that idea is also nothing new. Apple themselves have had the ability to enable an "Open Firmware Password" for years, and it's still available today.
None of these security measures are without serious flaw however since they all need "idiot doors". In essence you can't build a house that's totally secure, since you will need a door to get in and out yourself.
Still, I wonder what Intel have in mind...
Recent Headlines - Updated Friday, July 4th, 2008
- Fri., 7:30 AM
- Happy Fourth of July!
- Thu., 4:50 PM
- Apple Slashes $400 from SSD Drive in MacBook Air
- 4:05 PM
- It's Official - Firefox Sets Guinness Record for Downloads
- 3:30 PM
- Apple Files Patent for a Multi-touch Gesture Language
- 2:20 PM
- Editorial - Mac's Market Share and the Cascade Failure of Windows
- 1:35 PM
- iPodObserver - Apple Slurps Up Samsung's NAND Flash for iPhone 3G
- 1:05 PM
- WSJ: Tips for Switching from Windows to Mac
- 12:05 PM
- iPodObserver - Google Intros Google Talk for iPhone
- 11:35 AM
- iPO Just a Thought - iPod nano Versus iPhone: Decisons, Decisions...
- 10:55 AM
- YouTube Ordered to Turn Over All User Records to Viacom
- 10:10 AM
- Hot Forum Topic - Apple vs. Cell Carriers: Who's Winning the Game
- 9:25 AM
- iPodObserver - Rumor: Best Buy, Radio Shack to Sell iPhone 3G
- 8:45 AM
- .Mac Bookmark Sync Deadline Extended to July 6
- 8:10 AM
- Adobe Reader 9 Hits the Streets
The Mac Observer Reader Specials
- Download Typestyler, still the Ultimate Styling Tool for Internet, Print and Video Graphics. Works great in Classic with a Native OS X Version on the way. Free Tryout: www.typestyler.com
- OWC: NewerTech NuPower Batteries for iBook and PowerBooks Designed+Built in USA to run longer, LAST LONGER TOO! Free Battery Recycling Return Label; Quality High-Capacity from $99.95
MacBook/MacBook Pro / MacMini / iMac Intel Core2 DUO DDR2 667Mhz 4GB Kit $84, 3GB Kit $60, 2GB Kit $40 1GB $20. Click to Maximize your Macs...
Mac observers can now play Party Poker for Mac as well as Mac casino games by going to MacPokerOnline.com.
RamJet Memory: MacBook 1Gig $39, 2Gig $78, 4Gig $195! Mac Pro 2Gig $115, 4Gig $189! 500G Seagate SATA II $139! Click hereFor the latest Apple products use Ciao a comparison website to find laptops like MacBook Air. Then find the best prices on MP3 players and use our comparison tool to evaluate cell phones.
Laptop Hardware Provided by TechRestore - Overnight Mac & iPod Repairs.


