An unstoppable hardware based spyware ?

[ObiWan]

Apparently so, at least judging from this

http://cryptome.org/manchu-chip.htm

not sure such a chip is a truth, but it would be really
hard to fight/defeat with standard means and for sure
fighting it would be outside reach for most/all the
regular "home users"

[Mister2]

Things that are possible are not necessarily probable.

I hope ...

[ObiWan]

Things that are possible are not necessarily probable.

I hope ...

I had the same thought; also, there are many other means to insert malware into computers; ranging from adding code to the BIOS/EFI to inserting spycode into device drivers; and all those methods are easier, so I wonder why someome would bother to use a chip; anyways, missing any evidence, I'm classifying that "manchu-chip" as "probable/possible but undemostrable" (yet)

[Mister2]

I hope you're right.
Can you imagine all current PCs (and other consumer electronics, radios, cellphones...) containing such a chip?
No one would trust them anymore, and no one would trust the new products replacing the chipped devices.

[ObiWan]

I hope you're right.
Can you imagine all current PCs (and other consumer electronics, radios, cellphones...) containing such a chip?
No one would trust them anymore, and no one would trust the new products replacing the chipped devices.

Maybe... or maybe not; look at the "Sony Rootkit" issue; at first a lot of people started barfing, but now... people is still buying sony stuff and nobody seems to know about the "rootkit"; money often acts like desert sand, just feed some to magazines and the like and a "dune" will suddenly cover whatever error you made

[Mister2]

Good point.

I was never affected by the rootkit problem but I choose brands other than Sony.

[sandybeach]

Clearly, I'm either a Dinosaur or highly principled, or just stubborn, as I have not bought 1 single Sony item of ANY size/type or price ever  since the scandal broke & never will again! Nor anyone in my extended family!
I recall the fun trying to help several "victims" recover at the time.

I seem to recall about 1- 1 1/2 years ago a report that MB makers were going to start including uniquely identifying, trackable / traceable  tag/chip either in the BIOS software or as a hardware item in the MB itself.  These included ,but not limited to , Intel, AMD,  etc. It was going to be promoted as an anti-theft feature to quell criticism/paranoia , particularly for laptops, but
such would have considerable other uses in the hands of  power mad officialdom.

Unfortunately (or not), I have not heard anything further on the matter but perhaps someone here has?     Sandy