New trouble: Intel CPU flaw exploitable

ttf_robcat2075 · Post by **ttf_robcat2075** » Thu Jan 04, 2018 8:12 am

Wow...

Meltdown and Spectre FAQ: Fix for Intel CPU flaws could slow down PCs and Macs

QuoteMassive security vulnerabilities in modern CPUs are forcing a redesign of the kernel software at the heart of all major operating systems. Since the issuesdubbed Meltdown and Spectreexist in the CPU hardware itself, Windows, Linux, Android, Macs, Chromebooks, and other operating systems all need to protect against it. And worse, it appears that plugging the hole will negatively affect your PCs performance.

QuoteGoogle says effectively every Intel processor released since 1995 is vulnerable to Meltdown, regardless of the OS youre running or whether you have a desktop or laptop. Chips from Intel, AMD, and ARM are susceptible to Spectre attacks, though AMD says its hardware has zero and near zero risk to the two known Spectre variants because of the way its chip architecture is designed.

ttf_robcat2075 · Post by **ttf_robcat2075** » Thu Jan 04, 2018 8:59 am

Supposedly MS has a patch out for Windows but my Windows Update doesn't show it available or already done.

ttf_Matt K · Post by **ttf_Matt K** » Thu Jan 04, 2018 9:02 am

It's probably your anti-virus:

http://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-meltdown-spectre-patches-if-you-havent-got-them-blame-your-antivirus/

ttf_Baron von Bone · Post by **ttf_Baron von Bone** » Sun Jan 14, 2018 2:49 pm

Any predictions on how this Meltdown/Spectre thing will effect computing, smartphoning and the related markets?

ttf_robcat2075 · Post by **ttf_robcat2075** » Sun Jan 14, 2018 3:26 pm

Bugs have become like political outrages... the new normal.

Remember the rage 15 or 20 years ago because Intel chips had a flawed math processor?

This is way worse than that and it isn't generating nearly the public concern or attention.

ttf_BGuttman · Post by **ttf_BGuttman** » Sun Jan 14, 2018 6:03 pm

Wait until the Russians or North Koreans (or a bored kid in Scarsdale) figure out how to use this to do mischief. All h*ll will break loose.

Meanwhile, I have gotten patches from Microsoft and Mosaic (Firefox) to deal with the problem. More are on the way. Linux Mint will have one at the very least for the new release but probably sooner.

ttf_robcat2075 · Post by **ttf_robcat2075** » Sun Jan 14, 2018 8:36 pm

My third-party anti-virus software is second-party anti-virus software... MS Security Essentials.

ttf_BGuttman · Post by **ttf_BGuttman** » Sun Jan 14, 2018 8:56 pm

Already been talking about this in Chit-Chat. Going to merge the two topics.

ttf_BGuttman · Post by **ttf_BGuttman** » Sun Jan 14, 2018 8:56 pm

Already been talking about this in Chit-Chat. Going to merge the two topics.