Intel Security Flaw Slows Computers
News has surfaced that Intel computer chips has a major design flaw making them vulnerable to hackers exposing secure information and creating more security problems which could affect both single computers or entire networks.
Intel is currently working to fix this flaw but experts are expressing concerns saying it could slow computers by 30 per cent.
This could affect Mac, Microsoft and Linux users.
UK site The Register reported this flaw could allow software to gain access to certain information in a computer that holds secure information such as passwords.
Intel has responded to these claims in a statement saying they are incorrect, “Based on the analysis to date, many types of computing devices — with many different vendors’ processors and operating systems — are susceptible to these exploits.
“Intel is committed to product and customer security and is working closely with many other technology companies, including AMD, ARM Holdings and several operating system vendors, to develop an industry-wide approach to resolve this issue promptly and constructively. Intel has begun providing software and firmware updates to mitigate these exploits. Contrary to some reports, any performance impacts are workload-dependent, and, for the average computer user, should not be significant and will be mitigated over time.
“Intel is committed to the industry best practice of responsible disclosure of potential security issues, which is why Intel and other vendors had planned to disclose this issue next week when more software and firmware updates will be available. However, Intel is making this statement today because of the current inaccurate media reports.”
Intel does recommend users to check with their operating system vendor or system manufacturer and apply any available updates as soon as they are available. The company also says using “good security practices” will help protect against possible exploitation until new updates can be applied.
Intel says it believes its products are the most secure in the world and that, with the support of its partners, the current solutions to this issue provide the best possible security for its customers.