Security flaws discovered in Apple, Google and Microsoft phones and computers

By CNN

Jan 4, 2018

[color="Red"]Chances are you own a smartphone or computer that contains a chip hackers could potentially exploit to get access to sensitive information.

That's because billions of devices are affected by two major security flaws revealed by cybersecurity researchers on Wednesday.

The flaws -- dubbed Meltdown and Spectre -- affect processing chips made by Intel, AMD and ARM Holdings. That means if you use a desktop, laptop, smartphone or cloud service from Apple, Google, Amazon or Microsoft you might be vulnerable.

Don't panic. Here's what you should do.

1. Update your software!

Spectre is the main threat because it is present in billions of devices. Meltdown appears to affect only Intel chips.

The U.S. government-funded Software Engineering Institute says vulnerable chips may eventually have to be replaced altogether. But until then, experts say, software updates are key.

"Because chip replacements are not going to happen tomorrow, realistically, software is being updated," Sitaram Chamarty, a security researcher at Tata Consultancy Services, told CNNMoney. "It has to kind of trickle down, hopefully in another few days it will all be done," he added.

Intel says it is working with AMD and ARM to fix the problem, and many tech firms have already released -- or are about to release -- software updates to secure their devices.

Microsoft has already released security updates for Windows users, and is taking steps to protect users of its cloud computing services. Google and Amazon are also updating their cloud services. Apple did not respond to a request for comment.

2. Brace yourself for slower devices

An unfortunate downside of the software updates is that they might slow your computers and smartphones.

Patches deployed to combat the flaws could slow computers by as much as 30% depending on what you're trying to do, according to estimates posted on Linux message boards.

Intel said it does not expect users to experience any performance issues. Experts disagree.

"Processor slowdowns trickle down from data centers to everyone using the internet," said Bryce Boland, chief technology officer for Asia at cybersecurity firm FireEye. "People will feel many of their mobile devices taking a performance hit."...

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Article: https://www.abc15.com/news/national/security-flaws-discovered-in-apple-google-and-microsoft-phones-and-computers