How to Remotely Control Your PC (Even When it Crashes)

[StalkeR]

Being able to remotely control your computer is an age old geek trick. But what about changing BIOS settings or installing an operating system remotely? With Intel AMT KMS this is within reach for any geek with the right hardware.
Intel vPro is a management platform built into Intel processors and other hardware that allows companies to manage their desktops and laptops out-of-band (OOB). That means the computers can be managed no matter if the computer in on or off, and even if the operating system has failed or there is no hard drive present.
With Core processors Intel introduced Active Management Technology (AMT) 6.0 which introduced a slew of new features including Keyboard Video Mouse (KVM) Remote Control. This means that with the right hardware configuration you have full remote access to your computer no matter what state it’s in.
Most geeks are familiar with VNC software that runs inside your operating system, but Intel AMT KVM runs at a hardware level which allows you to go remote with your computer in the case of a total system failure or even without an operating system installed. Let’s get started and set up Intel AMT KVM so you can go remote with your computer.


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[Fayla]

That worries me

I hope that feature is not enabled by default, because that would be one heck of a security risk.

 

[wilywombat]

I doubt that "That means the computers can be managed no matter if the computer in on or off," is true...as far as I know there is no beating the big "off" switch!!

 

[acurasd]

Now and days they don't even have the rocket switch in the back of the computers for the Power Supplies. The only way to be certain is to take out the network cable....

They haven't realize that things that help people can also harm. Putting this kind of access out there... well... wiki leaks is just the tip of the ice berg lol

 

[kegobeer]

Of course they know there's a risk involved with the technology. The benefits to an IT department with a huge amount of computers outweighs the risk - when the risk is properly mitigated. There are security protocols in place, like the ME/AMT username and password, so not just anyone can access the computer.

 

[acurasd]

Very True.... to the average user.... get someone who knows the workings of the system and they have a back door.

Not everyone is computer savvy..A lot of people are very easily manipulated to do things to their computer.. just I hope this doesn't turn into a very big concern.

Example: get a good company like Time Warner or Microsoft. anyone on the other end can tell tell the user to do anything on their computer and the user will think nothing of it. Just because it comes from a "well known" source; doesn't always means the safest.