Update: 19-Mar-18: We have ended the advisory. Our testing has satisfied our concerns that Microsoft patches could affect performance. You may apply updates to your Windows OS.
Update 19-Jan-18: we continue to assess the impact of the patches to our processors. Evidence of significant impacts continues to be documented in the press: Engadget Article 19-Jan-18
In light of Microsoft’s efforts to mitigate the impact of the Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities by issuing Windows OS patches, BKIN is asking all users to NOT apply any Windows Updates to their Dexterit-E or “GUI” computer running a KINARM Lab until we advise you that they are safe to apply.
The Windows updates are known to impact processor speed and thus may put your KINARM lab function and data at risk.
If you are shutting down your Dexterit-E computer and see the yellow (!) symbol beside the shutdown button this indicates that Windows will install updates when you shutdown. In order to shutdown Windows without applying the updates you can: use Ctrl-Alt-Del, then in the bottom right of the screen select shutting down without applying updates.
We are currently assessing the impact of these updates. There have been reports of “bricked” machines where the patches that have been rushed out don’t work. The first line of defense with these vulnerabilities is an updated web browser. Chrome will update automatically when it starts.
We will test these updates on a sample of Dexterit-E versions and Computer models, and then advise you of the result.
An article on the subject may be found here: https://www.wired.com/story/meltdown-and-spectre-vulnerability-fix/
Should you have any concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at support@bkintechnologies.com
