How do you feel when a software update appears on your screen? There’s been plenty of times that a little pop-up appears and informs you that updates are available—and chances are there’s been plenty of times you’ve ignored them. Your opinions about updates may change once you realize they’re your only defense against Spectre and Meltdown.
Researchers recently discovered two computer chip flaws that impact billions of computers and smartphone devices. Known as Spectre and Meltdown, these flaws could allow hackers to steal your sensitive information, read data stored in your device’s memory, or see what kind of tabs you’ve opened on your computer. What devices are affected by these chip flaws? Well unfortunately, if your device has been built within the last 15 years, there’s a very real possibility that it is affected by one of these vulnerabilities.
What’s the difference between Spectre and Meltdown? The Meltdown flaw only affects chips made by Intel, while Spectre affects most other chips. While both are serious flaws that raise security concerns, Spectre is the main threat. It is present in billions of devices, ranging from desktops, laptops, smartphones, and even cloud servers.
Flaws in computer chips are typically unusual. However, weaknesses in a chip’s design have always been present, but were unable to be exploited. Researchers have identified possible ways that hackers could take advantage of these vulnerabilities. While the possibility of an attack is very real, there are currently no known attempts
While all computer users should be cautious, business owners need to pay close attention to their systems. Businesses of all sizes are prone to breaches because updating their computing systems is an expensive and time-consuming process. Oftentimes, companies fail to apply software updates in a timely manner, or they prioritize updating certain machines over others. As long as their computers are still performing fine, some companies do not install any of the recommended patches. The longer your business’ systems go without necessary updates and patches, the easier it will be for an attacker to execute scams, implement malware and spyware, or steal valuable information.
Are all the systems in your business up to date?
Could your business withstand a breach caused by the Meltdown or Spectre computer chip flaws?
How Can You Protect Yourself?
Unfortunately, there’s no immediate fix for these flaws. While a total CPU hardware replacement is ideal, it is almost impossible. Because this is a design flaw in the chip’s implementation, this problem cannot be solved without hardware support. Researchers concluded that software updates are a legitimate solution, since chip replacements would require a lot of time and money. Companies like Apple, Google, and Microsoft have already issued patches and security updates for their platforms.
With something as big as a computer processor being flawed, no one is exempt from this security threat. Almost all computing devices, operating systems, and processors are susceptible. Updates usually mean long waits, slower loading times, and draining your battery. Overall, updates are not associated with anything positive. However, applying updates is crucial if you want to stay ahead of any possible security concerns from these chip flaws.
Are your systems protected? Will your business avoid having a “Meltdown”? If you’re not sure, or you need some professional IT support, contact us immediately. You can call us at (401) 522-5200 or visit our website to schedule a meeting.
