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Intel® Anti-Theft Technology

Intel® Anti-Theft Technology (Intel® AT)¹ allows laptops to be disabled if they are lost or stolen. The technology can be used with or without a connection to the Internet or a corporate network:

  • Deter theft. Remove the temptation to lose or steal a PC which will soon cease to operate.
  • Guard data assets. Protect laptop data by blocking the OS from loading and/or disabling access to encryption keys.
  • Customize detection/reaction. Control how and when a PC will detect it has been stolen and what actions will be taken.
  • Restore operation easily. Re-enable recovered laptops quickly, with no damage to PC or data.

The hardware-strengthened features of Intel AT are available from security software providers when paired with an Intel AT-enabled PC.

Hardware-based features disable stolen laptops

Intel AT can detect suspicious behavior or receive a remote theft alert using programmable triggers such as the following:

  • User-reported theft. If contacted by the laptop owner, a service provider or help desk sends a "poison pill" to disable the laptop.
  • Tamper detection. In the event of suspicious activity such as excessive login attempts, the laptop disables itself.
  • Failure to check in. If the laptop does not log into the network within a set period of time, it disables itself.

Intel AT can block the OS from loading, even if the hard drive is replaced or reformatted. Intel AT can also be used to disable access to data encryption keys and block access to valuable data on the hard drive, even if the drive is moved to a different system.

Quick and easy laptop recovery

Once the laptop is back in your hands, you can restore it without damage to the hardware or data. Intel AT provides you with a choice of mechanisms for reactivating your system:

  • Local passphrase. A strong password may be set up by the user in advance, to be used in a special pre-login screen.
  • Recovery token. A help desk or service provider may generate a single-use alphanumeric key and provide it to the user.

How to get a laptop with Intel® Anti-Theft Technology

Find out where you can get a laptop that supports Intel AT:

How to find Intel® Anti-Theft Technology–enabled services

Find out how you can sign up for an Intel AT-enabled service:

Theft on the beach

Theft on the beach

Find out how to keep laptop data out of thieves' reach.

Absolute protection

A leader in system protection services now offers solutions based on Intel® Anti-Theft Technology.

¹ No computer system can provide absolute security under all conditions. Intel® Anti-Theft Technology (Intel& AT) (also referred to as the 'poison pill' in some documents) requires the computer system to have an Intel AT-enabled chipset, BIOS, firmware release, software and an Intel AT-capable service provider/ISV application and service subscription. Intel AT performs the encrypted data access disable by preventing access to or deleting cryptographic material (e.g. encryption keys) required to access previously encrypted data. ISV-provided Intel AT-capable encryption software may store this cryptographic material in the PC's chipset. In order to restore access to data when the system is recovered, this cryptographic material must be escrowed/backed up in advance in a separate device or server provided by the security ISV/service provider. The detection (triggers), response (actions), and recovery mechanisms only work after the Intel AT functionality has been activated and configured. The activation process requires an enrollment procedure in order to obtain a license from an authorized security vendor/service provider for each PC or batch of PCs. Activation also requires setup and configuration by the purchaser or service provider and may require scripting with the console. Certain functionality may not be offered by some ISVs or service providers. Certain functionality may not be available in all countries. Intel assumes no liability for lost or stolen data and/or systems or any other damages resulting thereof.

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