Meltdown, Spectre, and More—Protect Yourself from the Latest Security Threats

What happened?
Multiple cybersecurity flaws have been discovered recently that leave nearly every computer and phone vulnerable, allowing cybercriminals the ability to access your private data: passwords, credit card details, photos, etc.

  • Meltdown affects laptops, desktop computers and internet servers with Intel chips.
  • Spectre affects some chips in smartphones, tablets, and computers powered by Intel, ARM, and AMD.
  • IOHIDeous is said to affect all versions of macOS going back 15 years.

The small bit of good news in these latest threats is that it appears that hackers have not yet taken broad advantage of the flaws.

How does it impact the FIT community?
The Division of Information Technology is committed to protecting FIT from cyberattacks and information security threats. We will be applying all the necessary patches for all Operating Systems and firmware along with any additional updates required to safeguard FIT computers, servers, and systems.

What can you do to protect yourself?

  • For all computers (FIT and personal):
  • For your personally owned computers:
    • Make sure you have up-to-date antivirus running on your personal computers. To learn more, follow the instructions on the IT Cybersafe webpage.
    • Regularly install the latest updates on your computer. Windows users can turn on auto update for Microsoft patches on your home computer. (A patch is a piece of software designed to update a computer program, to fix or improve it.)

Where can you get more information?
Reuters
BBC
TechTarget

About Cybersafe
The Division of Information Technology is dedicated to informing the community of the latest cybersecurity threats. Visit fitnyc.edu/cybersafe and stay tuned for emails from [email protected] for the latest from the Cybersafe campaign at FIT.

Be aware—and be cybersafe!

Questions? Comments? Email [email protected] or call 212 217.HELP (4357).