ZDNet writes that Intel's upcoming Prescott core processors (more info on the core here, here and here) will feature technology that prevents buffer overflow attacks, used against computers by overwhelming its defenses and inserting malicious code into its memory that subsequently executes.

"A number of damaging worms from last year relied on buffer overflows. Around 50 percent of the Windows security updates from Microsoft in the last two years may have been rendered unnecessary if the technology existed then, according to an analysis by AMD and Microsoft."

This will be similiar to the "Execution Protection" technology already featured in AMD's Athlon 64 CPU family that essentially protects against the same kind of attack.  However, the article notes that it can't be activated until Microsoft releases their Service Pack 2 for Windows XP early in the second quarter.