From a security standpoint, do you see any difference between virtualization features included in AMD and Intel cpus?
Joanna Rutkowska: The AMD SVM technology is a bit richer then current Intel VT-x implementation, which also allows malware authors for a bit more freedom (e.g. they do not have to intercept CPUID instruction obligatory on SVM). On the other hand AMD SVM contains several interesting features that might be used for better system protection (e.g. External Access Protection (EAP) and SKINIT instruction). But I know that similar technologies are to be introduced in the upcoming Intel processors as well. All in all – both technologies seem to be similar from the security point of view (at least at the design level) and both are vulnerable to similar threats, like virtualization based malware.
