Monday, 27 August 2007

Intel Refreshes vProLine Chip

Intel has finally decided to release an update to its vPro technology with improved hardware based security and manageability tools for its chips...

Intel has finally decided to release an update to its vPro technology with improved hardware based security and manageability tools for its chips.

The new version of the chip will contain Intel's hardware-based Trusted Execution Technology (TXT), which the company claims will defend PCs against attacks.

Using virtualisation, TXT can isolate an application within the hardware particulars and a memory partition, which will stop all other hardware or software from accessing the application. TXT also allows new software to be booted into a trusted state. When the application is removed, it purges all the application's data and information from the system.

"Today, most security software runs above the OS. And there's some great security software out there — but it leaves the computer vulnerable to attacks to that software and on the operating system level,” said Intel executive Robert Crooke.

Desktops and notebooks with vPro will be sold to OEM vendors such as Dell, Lenovo and HP.