You've read that right.

Intel chips have a massive design flaw

Microsoft and Linux are thinking how to fix it. It’s a security hole that can be patched, but the patches will make PCs (and Macs) with Intel chips slower. 5-30%. Huge!

What’s Going On?

Modern Intel processors have a design flaw that could allow malicious programs to read protected areas of a device’s kernel memory (dedicated to essential core components of the operating system and their interactions with system hardware).

This could potentially expose protected information like passwords.

Since the error is backed into the Intel x86-64 hardware, it requires an OS-level overwrite to patch—on every major operating system, including Windows, Linux, and macOS.

When Will the Patch Affect My PC?

Supposedly in January 9, 2018 the new patch will come, and your PC will be safe again but with the performance impact.

The changes will appear in an upcoming version of the Linux kernel, and everyone expect Apple to patch macOS with similar changes really ASAP.

 

So, tell us, do you have an intel processor installed?

What do you think about this design flaw and the consequences of performance?