Critical IT Alert: Meltdown and Spectre

Meltdown and Spectre exploit critical vulnerabilities in modern CPUs. These hardware vulnerabilities allow programs to steal data that is currently processed on the computer. This might include stored passwords, personal photos, emails, instant messages and even business-critical documents.

Desktops, laptops, and smartphones running on vulnerable processors can be exposed to unauthorized access and information theft.

MELTDOWN

Meltdown can enable hackers to gain privileged access to parts of a computer’s memory used by an application/program and the operating system (OS). Meltdown affects Intel processors.

SPECTRE

Spectre allows an attacker to make a program reveal some of its own data that should have been kept secret.

HOW DO SMBs STAY SAFE

Update all the things. The entire computer industry is moving as quickly as possible to patch in Meltdown and Spectre protections. Right now, you should update your operating system, CPU firmware (if available), and web browser, ASAP.

Tech Rage IT will be installing patches to mitigate the risk as they become available for all current Managed Services clients. Please notify us of any system slowness so we can document and confirm if it's related to Meltdown or Spectre.