Little tool helps stay protected against the two bugs

Jan 16, 2018 10:28 GMT  ·  By

Checking the vulnerability status of a computer following the Meltdown and Spectre disclosure has become a priority for many users out there, despite doing this with the two hardware bugs is a complex process that only tech-savvy users would rather start.

As we’ve already told you, there are already apps to help you with this, but another one that promises to offer some extra options and info has only recently been released for download.

Called InSpectre, this little tool doesn’t require an Internet connection and installation, and can instantly scan your computer to determine whether it’s vulnerable to Meltdown and Spectre bugs when launched.

Furthermore, the application also tries to determine the performance impact of the patches, as there are concerns that Intel’s fixes for Windows systems could cause a slowdown that’s more noticeable on older hardware configurations and OS versions.

“This InSpectre utility was designed to clarify every system’s current situation so that appropriate measures can be taken to update the system’s hardware and software for maximum security and performance,” the developer says.

Options to disable the patches

InSpectre also comes with options to enable and disable Meltdown and Spectre protection on systems were patches have already been deployed, and these settings are specifically aimed at enterprises or users who want to mitigate the performance impact of the updates.

These buttons only become available when you launch the app with administrator privileges, otherwise only a standard scan with no extra scans would be offered.

Without a doubt, apps like these certainly come in handy given the Meltdown and Spectre craze following the disclosure of the two bugs, and they do help keep computers protected. What’s worth knowing, however, is that there’s no known exploit aimed at the two security vulnerabilities, but everyone is recommended to patch systems anyway.

You can download InSpectre right now to see the current status of your system and get a quick glimpse into how the patches impact performance.