The OS in question (minix), isn't in the main CPU - it's in the CPU of the management engine, which is completely separate, and doesn't, or at least shouldn't, affect system performance. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Active_Management_Technology#Hardware
That actually makes it worse, since as long as the machine is connect to power, even though putatively "off", the management engine is available. That is, if it's been configured. This is an enterprise feature, so the ME is usually not active in consumer-grade computers. But, if it's present and turned on, then it's pretty risky: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/11/09/chipzilla_come_closer_closer_listen_dump_ime/ But there's some hope, of a sort - Google is on the case: http://www.tomshardware.com/news/google-removing-minix-management-engine-intel,35876.html Kurt On Sun, Nov 19, 2017 at 6:34 AM, Andrew S. Baker <[email protected]> wrote: > No wonder our machines don't seem as fast as we think they *could* be... > They're busy running more stuff than we thought: > > http://www.zdnet.com/article/minix-intels-hidden-in-chip-operating-system/ > > The security implications are also pretty staggering... > > Regards, > > *ASB* > >
