SYDNEY: Hundreds of millions of Windows PC users are vulnerable to attacks exploiting the recently uncovered “Freak” security vulnerability, which was initially believed to only threaten mobile devices and Mac computers, Microsoft warned.
News of the vulnerability surfaced when a group of nine security experts disclosed that ubiquitous Internet encryption technology could make devices running Apple’s iOS and Mac operating systems, along with Google’s Android browser vulnerable to cyber attacks.
Microsoft released a security advisory warning customers that their PCs were also vulnerable to the “Freak” vulnerability. “Freak” stands for Factoring RSA-EXPORT Keys.
The weakness could allow attacks on PCs that connect with web servers configured to use encryption technology intentionally weakened to comply with US government regulations banning exports of the strongest encryption.
If hackers are successful, they could spy on communications as well as infect PCs with malicious software, the researchers who uncovered the threat said on Tuesday.
The Washington Post on Tuesday reported that whitehouse.gov and fbi.gov were among the sites vulnerable to these attacks, but that the government had secured them.
