cpu
New VMScape attack breaks guest-host isolation on AMD, Intel CPUs
A new Spectre-like attack dubbed VMScape allows a malicious virtual machine (VM) to leak cryptographic keys from an unmodified QEMU hypervisor process running on modern AMD or Intel CPUs. The attack breaks the isolation between VMs and the cloud hypervisor, bypassing existing Spectre mitigations and threatening to leak sensitive data by leveraging speculative execution. The […]
Windows 11 KB5064081 update clears up CPU usage metrics in Task Manager
Microsoft has released the KB5064081 preview cumulative update for Windows 11 24H2, which includes thirty-six new features or changes, with many gradually rolling out. These updates include new Recall features and a new way of displaying CPU usage in Task Manager. The KB5064081 update is part of the company’s optional non-security preview update schedule, which releases updates at the […]
New Intel CPU flaws leak sensitive data from privileged memory
A new “Branch Privilege Injection” flaw in all modern Intel CPUs allows attackers to leak sensitive data from memory regions allocated to privileged software like the operating system kernel. Typically, these regions are populated with information like passwords, cryptographic keys, memory of other processes, and kernel data structures, so protecting them from leakage is crucial. According to ETH […]
AMD fixes bug that lets hackers load malicious microcode patches
AMD has released mitigation and firmware updates to address a high-severity vulnerability that can be exploited to load malicious CPU microcode on unpatched devices. The security flaw (CVE-2024-56161) is caused by an improper signature verification weakness in AMD’s CPU ROM microcode patch loader. Attackers with local administrator privileges can exploit this weakness, resulting in the loss […]
New Apple CPU side-channel attacks steal data from browsers
A team of security researchers has disclosed new side-channel vulnerabilities in modern Apple processors that could steal sensitive information from web browsers. The Georgia Institute of Technology and Ruhr University Bochum researchers, who presented another attack dubbed ‘iLeakage’ in October 2023, presented their new findings in two separate papers, namely FLOP and SLAP, which show distinct flaws […]
CPU Cores Explained: The Key to Better Performance and Multitasking
CPU cores form the heart of modern computer processors. They are the essential components that handle tasks and calculations within a central processing unit (CPU). Each core acts as an independent processor, allowing multiple operations to run simultaneously. This capability enables faster performance and smoother multitasking on computers and devices. The number of cores in a CPU […]
How to Easily Check and Monitor CPU Temp
Keeping your computer’s CPU temperature in check is crucial for optimal performance and longevity. You can easily monitor CPU temps using built-in tools or free software like Core Temp or NZXT’s CAM. These programs show real-time temperature readings for each processor core, helping you spot potential overheating issues. Knowing your CPU’s temperature lets you take action if it runs too […]
Do temps matter no more? Next-gen Intel desktop CPUs might run as hot as Meteor Lake laptop chips
Desktop CPUs can get pretty hot already, whether we’re talking AMD or Intel, which probably goes some way towards explaining the seemingly increasing prevalence of AIO cooling compared to air cooling. I’ve come to accept that CPUs are getting hotter, and so be it. So color me unphased by the recent rumour that next-gen Intel desktop CPUs […]
AMD Ryzen 9000 CPUs rumoured to be remarkably cheaper than Zen 4
Alleged prices of AMD’s Ryzen 9000 Zen 5 desktop processors have leaked online. The top-spec models will be $150 cheaper than their Zen 4 predecessors and hit shelves on July 31. AMD revealed just about everything one needs to know about its Ryzen 9000 Zen 5 CPUs, except for one key component: price. A new […]
Ryzen 9 7950X3D, AMD’s top gaming CPU, hits all-time low price
What’s the fastest CPU for gaming on the market today? On our GPU hierarchy, we rate the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D as fastest. But, in AMD’s product stack, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D is the top dog and it came out a barely-perceptible 4 fps behind the 7800X3D on our tests. In addition to gaming prowess, […]