Microsoft quickly addressed the emergence of two major cyber security flaws targeting most modern processors manufactured by Intel, ARM, and AMD. New firmware updates are then released, and the company revealed that PCs and servers will experience a slight slowdown.
The news about speculative execution that deteriorates security of all users recently made headlines all over the world. Google's Project Zero team discovered two security flaws that can allow hackers to gain access to personal computers, laptops, smartphones, and tablets. Apple, Android, and PC are found to be vulnerable to Spectre attacks and meltdowns.
Apple, Google, and Microsoft all released new updates to improve cyber security for all people using their devices. Microsoft recently released an article providing details about the flaws and its new security update. Microsoft's executive vice president of the Windows and Devices Group Terry Myerson took the helm of the explanation. "Last week the technology and many of our customers learned of new vulnerabilities in the hardware chips that power phones, PCs and servers," Myerson wrote. The company then began "developing engineering mitigations and update cloud infrastructure" to resolve the issue.
After the initial testing of the new updates, Microsoft reported slowdowns for servers. Myerson said computers and laptops operating under "Windows 10 on newer silicon (2016-era PCs with Skylake, Kabylake or newer CPU) benchmarks show single-digit slowdowns."
PCs and laptops with older silicon tend to experience "more significant slowdowns" and "a decrease in system performance." Windows 8 and Windows 7 users will also stumble upon said slowdowns according to Myerson.
Myerson also assured their patrons that Microsoft will continue to analyze the issue to distribute better improvements. "Our commitment to delivering the technology you depend upon, and in optimizing performance where we can, continues around the clock and we will continue to communicate as we learn more," he concluded.
Microsoft received mixed reviews from their customers and critics.
