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How to protect your PC against the Intel chip flaw

Here are the steps to take to keep your Windows laptop or PC Safe from Meltdown and Spectre.

If your computer is managed by ADS we push out all updates necessary to protect your computers and networks as they become available to us.

If we do not manage your computers, Contact Us Now.

DO NOT TURN OFF YOUR COMPUTER!

If ADS manages your computer, DO NOT TURN OFF YOUR COMPUTER. If you turn off the computer the patch cannot be sent to the computer and your computer will not be updated and could be at risk.

Install the emergency Windows patch

CNET Reports:

"Microsoft has released an emergency patch for Windows 10 users. It should pop up and ask you to restart your machine so it can be installed, if you have yet to receive such a notification you can go to Settings>Update & security see if there are updates waiting on Windows Update Page. If you are running Windows 10 version 1709 (Fall Creators Update), the patch you need is labeled Security Update for Windows (KB4056892).

For older versions of Windows 10, here are the patch numbers:

Windows 10 version 1703 (Creators Update): KB4056891
Windows 10 version 1607 (Anniversary Update): KB4056890
Windows 10 version 1511 (November Update): KB4056888
Windows 10 version 1507 (Initial Release): KB4056893"

Manual install route

CNET Reports

"If you have yet to receive the patch, you can manually install it by going to this Windows Update Catalog page. You are probably running a 64-bit version of Windows, so you'll want to install the file for x64-based systems."

How can I be sure I'm protected?

CNET Reports:

"To check to see if you have installed the necessary patch, go to Settings > Update & security and click View installed update history. Under Quality Updates, look to see that Security Update for Windows (KB4056892) was successfully installed. You can also check by going to Settings > System > About and scrolling down to the Windows specifications section. After installing the KB4056892 patch, the OS Build will read 16299.125."

AV conflicts

CNET Reports:

"Your antivirus app might might be preventing you from receiving the patch from Windows Update. Microsoft is running into a compatibility issue with some antivirus apps. For instance, we have heard of McAfee users that didn't receive the update via Windows Update and had to manually install the patch. Microsoft suggests you follow up with your AV vendor and states it's doing what it can on its end to make sure everyone gets the security patch as soon as possible. You could always switch to Windows Defender until Microsoft and McAfee and Norton and the rest iron out the kinks.

If your computers are managed by ADS, your Anti-Virus software is safe and does not block the patch."

What else can I do?

CNET Reports:

"As of now there have been no known attacks using the Meltdown or Spectre vulnerabilities as of yet but now that it is public, odds are hackers will try to exploit them. After updating Windows and checking for a firmware update, you should run a scan using an Antivirus app to check for any malicious software on your system. Keep all your apps updated, most important your browser and as always be aware of phishing emails that can give hackers access to your machine and important data.

Again, if we manage your computers and Anti-Virus software you do not need to worry we are scanning at all times.

Worried your computers are at risk?

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