Oops. Must suck to not even know how to work your own products. B 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. More at: http://www.heise.de/ct/english/99/05/news1/ ____________________________________________________________________ -------------------------------------------------------------------- Join The NEW Web Consultants Association FORUMS and CHAT: Register Today at: http://just4u.com/forums/ Web Consultants Web Site : http://just4u.com/webconsultants Give the Gift of Life This Year... Just4U Stop Smoking Support forum - helping smokers for over three years-tell a friend: http://just4u.com/forums/ To get 500 Banner Ads for FREE go to http://www.linkbuddies.com/start.go?id=111261 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
