Microsoft issues emergency Windows update for processor security bugs

[RedBaird]

This site says that MS will install Emergency Updates today, at 5pm EST and 2pm PST...I just received mine at 1pm PST.  It included updates for ARM and Windows Server 2016.

 

https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/3/16846784/microsoft-processor-bug-windows-10-fix  

 

NOTE:  "The update will also be available for older and supported versions of Windows today, but systems running operating systems like Windows 7 or Windows 8 won’t automatically be updated through Windows Update until next Tuesday. Windows 10 will be automatically updated today."

 

Nest Tuesday is the traditional "Patch Tuesday".  

 

Here is the Update Catalog that I received for Win10 ver. KB4056892  https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB4056892  only about half apply to my win10 pro 64-bit ver.1709

 

Here is a PC Gamer article which says that the Intel CPU design problem won't affect gaming : http://www.pcgamer.com/serious-intel-cpu-design-flaw-may-require-a-windows-patch-but-probably-wont-affect-gaming-performance/?utm_content=buffer5f93b&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=buffer-maxpcfb

 

The biggest danger is to large companies with large sites and systems.

 

"... the fixes will also rely on firmware updates from Intel, AMD, or other vendors that are rolling out...."

[RedBaird]

This article says that the flaw is not limited to Intel CPUs : https://www.pcmag.com/news/358249/intel-chips-have-a-major-design-flaw-and-the-fix-means-slowe

[YaY]

What else are you guys doing to mitigate this risk?

[Broham]

Just a heads up:

If anyone here has an older dual core AMD processor (Athlon X2, Opteron, Turion), I would recommend waiting a couple of days before installing the update. There are currently several complaints popping up of computers failing to boot after installing KB4056894 (Windows 7) or KB4056892 (Windows 10).

 

 

What else are you guys doing to mitigate this risk?

 

Personally nothing, except making sure my browser & operating system are up to date.