Spectre Variant 2 vulnerability to fix in AMD with new patches

AMD has released chipset-level microcode updates to the defend hackers to gain access to users whose PCs are affected with Spectre variant 2 vulnerability.

Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons

These patches are released in line with the latest Windows 10 update which is also designated to patch the vulnerability on PCs running on AMD chipsets. The microcode update by AMD will block all attacks based on Spectre variant 2. Spectre variant 1 have already been patched back in January via Windows updates.

Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons

AMD has sent these microcode updates to the manufacturers who will merge the patch in BIOS updates and then make it available to users. So, you’ll have to wait until your laptop or motherboard's manufacturer implements the patch. The update addresses Spectre vulnerabilities on chipsets dating back to the “Bulldozer” core products which were released in 2011.

AMD has also announced that, just like Intel, all of its future chipsets will be designed to combat these vulnerabilities, starting with Zen 2 chipsets which we can expect to hit stores next year.

While AMD's at it, Intel has also announced that it has made the necessary changes in its CPU architecture required to counter Spectre and Meltdown vulnerabilities. It also announced that the upcoming 8th generation Intel Core and Xeon processors will be designed with protection against the vulnerabilities.

Meanwhile, if you're thinking about Meltdown problem, your AMD CPU isn't affected by it.