business Meltdown and Spectre Security Bugs: What You Need to Know January 09, 2018 If you have a PC, Mac or mobile device, you could be at risk of cyber fraud. Two recently discovered security vulnerabilities, Meltdown and Spectre are wreaking havoc all around the world—learn how you can protect your devices. Attention PC, Mac and mobile device users: There are two recent security vulnerabilities that could expose your sensitive information. Named “Meltdown” and “Spectre,” these bugs involve attackers exploiting common features of modern microprocessors, or chips, which power our computers, tablets, smartphones and other gadgets. What risks do these scams pose? Your personal photos, emails, instant messages, and even business critical documents could be compromised. More about the security bugs Meltdown When a user application runs on your computer, that application is isolated from the operating system itself. Meltdown allows a program to break that isolation and access the “in between” space where leaked information could be found. If you are working with sensitive information on a vulnerable machine, this data could be exposed. Spectre Spectre essentially tricks applications into accidentally disclosing information that would normally be inaccessible and safe inside their protected memory area. Protect Yourself The situation regarding Meltdown and Spectre is changing quickly, and our sister company Envision Technology Advisors, LLC is staying on top of these changes to ensure that the latest patches and updates are applied for clients.
