Apple Inc. said all Mac computers and iOS
devices, like iPhones and iPads, are affected by chip security flaws unearthed
this week, but the company stressed there are no known exploits impacting
users.
The Cupertino, California-based company said
recent software updates for iPads, iPhones, iPod touches, Mac desktops and
laptops, and the Apple TV set-top-box mitigate one of the vulnerabilities known
as Meltdown. The Apple Watch, which runs a derivative of the iPhone’s operating
system is not affected, according to the company.
Despite concern that fixes may slow down
devices, Apple said its steps to address the Meltdown issue haven’t dented
performance. The company will release an update to its Safari web browser in
coming days to defend against another form of the security flaw known as
Spectre. These steps could slow the speed of the browser by less than 2.5
percent, Apple said in a statement posted on its website.
Apple shares rose less than 1 percent to
$173.56 in early trading Friday in New York.
Intel Corp. on Wednesday confirmed a report
stating that its semiconductors contain a vulnerability based around a
chip-processing technique called speculative execution. Intel said its chips,
which power Macs and devices from other manufacturers, contain the flaw as well
as processors based on ARM Holdings architecture, which is used in iOS devices
and Android smartphones.
In December, Apple came under fire for iPhone
software changes that reduced the performance of some older models of its
smartphone. Alongside an apology and an explanation that a software change was
implemented to balance out the effect of aging batteries, the company reduced
the cost of replacing the power units from $79 to $29 through the end of 2018.
Security experts have said highly regulated
sectors of industry, such as government offices and public health institutions,
are most at risk of compromise as a result of the chip security vulnerability.
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