Researchers from security firm IOActive warn that a major flaw in AMD processor firmware could give attackers access to deep control over a computer, leading to "unfixable" infections. Firmware is a type of software that helps the hardware to run as expected, essentially making this "software for hardware" a major target for hackers who want near-complete control over your PC.
As reported by Wired, the "sinkclose" flaw in AMD's firmware exists in almost every AMD chip since 2006 and presents a significant threat under the right conditions. If hackers did gain access to your laptop via the Sinkclose vulnerability, researchers indicated that "You would basically have to throw your computer away."
