Regarding Ivy Bridge, Sandy Bridge etc Intel CPUs.

The ME has full access to memory without the parent CPU having any knowledge, it has full access to the TCP/IP stack, and full access to every peripheral connected to the computer. It also runs when the computer is hibernating. It doesn't matter if you're using Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, Whonix, Tails, Qubes OS, or Subgraph. If you have an i3, i5, or i7 then you're completely owned by the intelligence community.

The CIA calls the project: ODIN'S EYE. That is where you look. Every single thing you type, every site you visit, everything is captured. Why do you think nobody cares about VPN as a security risk?