Is Linux better than Windows with Spectre exploit?

danielson · 07. Mar 2019, 08:41 PM

Apparently, whether on Windows or Linux, computers like mine with Intel i5-2520M will never be protected against Spectre or Meltdown exploits.

Is this true?

torres-no-tan-magnifico · 08. Mar 2019, 11:53 AM

MX-18: The new kernels feature meltdown/spectre mitigation, even on the 32 bit kernel.

HTH

danielson · 08. Mar 2019, 02:58 PM

So, from what i can understand, any distro with latest Linux kernel should be okay by now?

danielson · 09. Mar 2019, 05:39 PM

Further reading seem to indicate that it will be an ongoing saga for both Linux and Windows which must deal (or have to live) with Intel and AMD processors etc.

EldonW · 09. Mar 2019, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielson

Apparently, whether on Windows or Linux, computers like mine with Intel i5-2520M will never be protected against Spectre or Meltdown exploits.

What exactly do you think is going to happen to your computer due to the Spectre & Meltdown security vulnerabilities?

My PC has no Internet Security, Antivirus, Anti-malware, Anti-whatever software. No BIOS update, and no updates for Windows 7 Ultimate. The CPU is 8 years old...

danielson · 09. Mar 2019, 07:18 PM

I don't know how you've managed to stay safe all this time!
Do recall a few years back, was searching for a Christmas Crib image and after clicking on one of the search results, the computer got infected with some kind of malware/virus.
What could be more innocent than looking for a simple Bethlehem scene?
Do you never ever click on any image or hyperlink anywhere?

https://meltdownattack.com/

Burn-IT · 10. Mar 2019, 02:39 PM

I would say that without having any security installed, Spectre/Meltdown is the LEAST of your worries.

Oh and the OS is irrelevant as far as the bug is concerned, though the different OS's may have implemented different ways to try to avoid them or even just done the Ostrich thing.

EldonW · 10. Mar 2019, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielson

I don't know how you've managed to stay safe all this time!
Do you never ever click on any image or hyperlink anywhere?
https://meltdownattack.com/

I click on links, images and videos all the time.
BUT, I don't just visit any site. And I stay away from torrents and similar sites.
I rely on Firefox's inbuilt security, uBlock Origin and HTTPS Everywhere.
Furthermore, I don't open email attachments from unknown senders, and I don't connect other people's USB devices to my PC.
Lastly, I rely on common sense.

07. Mar 2019, 08:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
danielson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,077	Is Linux better than Windows with Spectre exploit? Apparently, whether on Windows or Linux, computers like mine with Intel i5-2520M will never be protected against Spectre or Meltdown exploits. Is this true?

08. Mar 2019, 11:53 AM	#2 (permalink)
torres-no-tan-magnifico Copy Editor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,118	MX-18: The new kernels feature meltdown/spectre mitigation, even on the 32 bit kernel. HTH __________________ (Mx16 + Cx1 + Lx2) + (Tx5 + Nx2 + Bx33)

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08. Mar 2019, 02:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
danielson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,077	So, from what i can understand, any distro with latest Linux kernel should be okay by now?

09. Mar 2019, 05:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
danielson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,077	Further reading seem to indicate that it will be an ongoing saga for both Linux and Windows which must deal (or have to live) with Intel and AMD processors etc.

09. Mar 2019, 07:18 PM	#6 (permalink)
danielson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,077	I don't know how you've managed to stay safe all this time! Do recall a few years back, was searching for a Christmas Crib image and after clicking on one of the search results, the computer got infected with some kind of malware/virus. What could be more innocent than looking for a simple Bethlehem scene? Do you never ever click on any image or hyperlink anywhere? https://meltdownattack.com/

10. Mar 2019, 02:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
Burn-IT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 547	I would say that without having any security installed, Spectre/Meltdown is the LEAST of your worries. Oh and the OS is irrelevant as far as the bug is concerned, though the different OS's may have implemented different ways to try to avoid them or even just done the Ostrich thing.