Intel has unveiled a new 2nd generation Core vPro processor family that features the performance and capabilities of the company’s new microarchitecture, enhancements to vPro technology and new security features including a 3G "poison pill" option to help protect a PC’s data.
The new Core vPro processors offer the increased performance of new microarchitecture, enhanced Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 and new Advanced Vector Extensions (AVX), said the company.
Intel claimed that the new Core vPro i5 processor speeds up business applications by 60%, multitasking by 100% and data encryption by 300%.
The company has also introduced Anti-Theft Technology Ver. 3.0 (AT 3.0), included on all 2nd generation Core and Core vPro processors to provide defense against the problem of laptop theft and data loss.
The new AT 3.0 enables the poison pill to be sent as an encrypted, authenticated SMS message by an authorised administrator over a 3G cellular network and also within moments after a missing laptop is turned on.
Further, when recovered, the PC can be similarly re-activated with another message, said the company.
The company added that the new Locator Beacon capability gives authorities the ability to pinpoint a missing laptop using GPS technology on select 3G modems.
The new AT 3.0 standby protection feature helps protect encrypted PCs that go missing in the vulnerable standby state (S3), when awakened, the new standby protection feature can change normal procedure to require an encryption login, which is much more secure than the usual username and password.
The new Identity Protection Technology (IPT), integrated into select 2nd generation Core and Core vPro processors, helps stymie phishing attacks aimed at gaining unlawful access to corporate, e-banking, e-commerce and other secure sites.
Intel said that the Core vPro processors also help make IT simpler with the new Host-Based Configuration feature that completely automates the process of setting up the vPro functions on new computers.
In addition, the Keyboard-Video-Mouse (KVM) Remote Control feature enables a remote technician to see the worker’s screen presentation in higher resolutions to accommodate HD video and screen sizes.
The company has also enhanced its Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, which steps up processor speeds beyond their rated frequency by analysing temperature and power consumption.
