[UltraSane]

What software?

[pabs3]

The firmware implementing TPM functionality, which definitely exists in at least some cases:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trusted_Platform_Module#Field_...

For ASIC-only devices, the keys are burned-in, which is user-hostile too.

[UltraSane]

Is the firmware in my NIC user-hostile?

[yencabulator]

The firmware in one of my NICs for sure is. The vendor says they're not bothering to fix it, and nobody else is able to.

https://www.blackduck.com/blog/cyrc-discovers-asus-tplink-wl...