Tech firms rush to solve issues with chip on their shoulders

Representation pic/AFP

Amid a frantic rush to patch a computer security flaw, experts struggled yesterday to determine the impact of a newly discovered vulnerability, which could affect billions of devices.

Cybersecurity researchers called for computer systems to urgently instal updates a day after the release of details of the so-called Spectre and Meltdown vulnerabilities affecting the chips powering most modern PCs and many mobile devices. Researchers on Wednesday published details of the flaw, which unlike many other vulnerabilities stems from the chip itself and how it safeguards private data.

Computer chip-making giant Intel - the focus of the first reports on the flaw - said the company and its partners "have made significant progress in deploying updates" to mitigate any threats. "Intel expects to have issued updates for more than 90 percent of processor products introduced within the past five years," an Intel statement said.

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