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Billions of Computer Chips Found Vulnerable – How to Stay Safe

As stated on TechExplore, a team of security researchers at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute or WPI discovered that something was out of the ordinary with the latest (at the time) Intel computer chips. Namely, the team found security vulnerabilities in chips produced by Intel Corp and STMicroelectronics. These are the same chips that were already installed in billions of computers even before we knew anything about the vulnerability.

At the time the researchers discovered this flaw, billions of computers along with users’ data were compromised around the world. This security flaw opened a back door for hackers by allowing them to implement side-channel attacks and steal cryptographic keys from inside the chips. In other words, this vulnerability exposed billions of devices to malicious intentions of hackers around the world.

"If hackers had taken advantage of these flaws, the most fundamental security services inside the operating system would have been compromised," said Berk Sunar, the professor of electrical and computer engineering and leader of WPI's Vernam Lab. "This chip is meant to be the root of trust. If a hacker gains control of that, they've got the keys to the castle."

How to Protect Your Computer from Security Incidents

Even though there’s not much you can do when a threat takes place due to the fault of the corporation behind computer chips, there are several security measures you can implement to better protect your device. Here are some of the most important security tips to take away:

Use a firewall – Every computer should have an active firewall in place to ensure optimal security at all times. Installing a firewall is the first thing you should do when you get a new computer. If you’re not familiar with it, firewall is a piece of software that is designed to create a literal wall or a barrier between sensitive information and the outside world. It is built to prevent unauthorized access to users’ data.

Install an antivirus software – This might be the most common piece of advice but it is mentioned everywhere for a good reason. A reliable antivirus program will protect the device against computer viruses and keep your data safe. To make sure the antivirus does its job at all times, keep the software up to date (simply set up automatic updates) and perform regular virus scan on the computer.

Invest in an anti-spyware package – If you haven’t heard of spyware before, this is a special type of code or a malware that secretly monitors devices and collects data. Spyware is extremely difficult to detect and even more difficult to remove. This tool will help you block threats by scanning all the information on your device.

Use a VPN – A VPN or a virtual private network can make a huge difference in your online security. A VPN tool will keep your data hidden and encrypted while browsing the web, thus allowing you to stay safe and anonymous on each site you visit.

Take Care of Computer Security

We often get so caught up in the positive sides of technology that we forget all the bad things that could happen if we were a little less careful. To make sure you don’t have to deal with the consequences of a security attack, make sure to implement the right safety measures and keep yourself up to date on the recent events in the cybersecurity world.


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