Two recently-discovered processor flaws are threatening the security of most devices built in the past 20 years. The two flaws are dubbed "Meltdown" and "Spectre." While the latter is more difficult to fix, major electronics companies have already issued patches to help protect against the former.
Microsoft has already issued emergency patches for Windows 10 users. However, the fix is also dependent on the antivirus software.
The update's appearance still depends on the antivirus program that the user employs to protect the computer. According to a report by The Verge, security researchers are still compiling a list of antivirus software that is supported by the emergency fix.
The emergency fix is immediately available for Windows 10 users. Those who use Windows 7 and Windows 8 and want the fix may have to wait for the regular update scheduled to be rolled out. This usually happens every Tuesday.
After ensuring Windows 10 is updated, users should also install the latest BIOS and firmware updates from the company that made the device (Dell, HP, Lenovo, and others).
Those who want to check if their Windows devices are up to date can follow these steps:
1.) Users should make sure that their Chrome browser is up to date. If they are using Firefox, the version should be Firefox 57 at least.
2.) Go to Windows Update and check if update KB4056892 is installed for the Windows 10 computer.
3.) Check for updates from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and apply BIOS and firmware updates compatible to the device's model.
For Apple MacOS users, checking for updates is more straightforward.
MacOS users can click the Apple logo on the top of the menu and select the option "About This Mac." If the version is at least 10.13.2 or greater, then the computer is updated. If not, then users should click the "Software Update" button which should be located just below the summary of the system information.
