Products

It was revealed in January 2018 that Intel CPUs featured a serious security flaw that affected the majority of devices on the market. Now, a new security risk related to the original flaw has prompted Intel to offer consumers the choice of turning on its chips or leaving them off.

The original problem affected every modern CPU using designed with a feature intended to increase speed was at risk for falling victim to Spectre bug.

Additionally, it was not only Intel CPUs affected. iPhones, laptops, and Gmail were also at risk. Microsoft issued the following statement after the risk became public:

“Microsoft is aware of the recently discovered security flaw that impacts chips from several different manufacturers. Many devices and applications will be affected by this flaw, including any operating systems such as Windows that run on the affected chips.”Nearly every single server that hosts data in the cloud is linked to Intel and therefore at risk.

Not to mention the additional exposure the feature causes related to Meltdown, a secondary security risk for some of the devices affected.

Patch to Fix the Problem Offered Only a Partial Solution

Despite the patch developed after months of trying to fix the problem, the solution resulted in performance issues. Installing the patch meant data would be crunched slower and the performance of the device would be negatively affected – some estimates show a slowdown of at least 25 percent.

Not to mention there was a bug discovered in the patches that caused processors to boot more than they should – sometimes abruptly.

Furthermore, the solution that was created only worked in some older processors, including the Bloomfield line, Clarksfield, Gulftown, Harpertown, Jasper Forest, Penryn, SoFIA 3GR, the Wolfdale line, and the Yorkfield line. The rebooting issue has since been fixed, but the problem is far from being completely resolved.

Complicating matters further, the CEO of Intel at the time sold millions of dollars in stock around the same time he learned of the security flaw, though he stated the sale was unrelated to his knowledge of the security flaw.

Legal action was taken against the company, primarily in the form of class action suits in several states.

New Vulnerabilities Discovered

In May, it was announced that a new vulnerability – Speculative Store Bypass or Varian 4 – could affect chips from Intel and other manufacturers. The flaw impacts a broad range of modern computing chips that are related to the issues with Spectre and Meltdown.

The problem means data, including passwords, could be read by hackers because of speculative execution, which is essentially the chip predicting what users will do next.

As a result of these new flaws discovered, Intel announced it would ship its chips with the patches turned off, and allow users to turn them on if they so choose.

Apple announced its iOS 12 will make every iPhone – even older ones dating back to iPhones 5s – noticeably faster. This announcement comes after months of dealing with problems related to iPhone performance, and a great deal of negative publicity regarding the company’s alleged intentional slowdown of old phones.

According to Craig Federighi, the company’s senior vice president of software engineering, Apple is “doubling down” on performance with the iOS 12. He claims phones will be faster and smoother no matter what they’re doing, whether it’s swiping to open the camera or launching an app.

The latest announcement claims apps will launch 40 percent faster and the keyboard will come up 50 percent faster, at least on an iPhone 6 Plus that was running iOS 11.4.

Apple Trying to Get Back into the Good Graces of Consumers

The news that speed and performance were top priorities for the company come after months of battling bad press and legal action.

In December 2017, the company confirmed the performance of some of its older iPhones was slowed by a fix intended to prevent shut down issues. The admission came shortly after a discussion among iPhone users was held on Reddit.com in December and the founder of Primate Labs analyzed data and determined that iPhone processors slowed down following the system update and that the problem was widespread and likely to get worse as phones got older.

Apple initially denied the problem and then acknowledged it they knew about the issue but were not guilty of any intentional wrongdoing.

iPhone Price Dropping

Performance is not the only measure Apple is taking to deal with the bad PR from its performance debacle.

After sales were stagnant for the iPhone X in 2017, the new iPhone release is supposed to be available in two different models with a lower price – possibly between $700 and $900. The original iPhone X cost $1000. The newer lower priced model will still have a 5.8 inch OLED screen, while the $1000 model will upgrade the screen to 6.5 inches.

Despite the goodwill measures, Apple is facing a number of class action lawsuits related to the performance issues from earlier in the year. Claims have been filed in several states against the company for denying its software updates slowed down older phones and creating a situation in which iPhone owners thought they had to upgrade their phones – instead of spending less on a replacement battery.

The company is facing fraud accusations related to concealment and unfair business practices, as well as breach of contract. Lawsuits include accusations of meddling with the iPhone speed without getting owner consent, fraud, false advertising, and unjust enrichment.

Weyerhauser issued a warning to homeowners living concerning the risks of living in homes built with the company’s TJI Joists with Flak Jacket Protection. Many families have been forced into temporary housing because of the problem.

The coating on the joists contains formaldehyde that releases dangerous chemicals into the homes and puts homeowners at risk for health complications, including nosebleeds, scratchy eyes, coughing, and sort throat. Long-term exposure increases risk for cancer.

Weyerhauser changed the formula for building its joists in December 2016, so only homes built after that date are affected.

The company sold its joists to homebuilders in the following states:

• Colorado
• Delaware
• Minnesota
• New Jersey
• New York
• Pennsylvania

Homeowners Report Offensive Odor, Health Symptoms Related to Off-Gassing

Homeowners living in homes with the affected joists report the odor of “pickling” and have developed respiratory and other symptoms. Because exposure has only been a problem since late 2016, there is no way to determine yet if long-term health issues will be a problem.

Weyerhauser issued a notification via a press release telling builders and homeowners about the problem and offering a variety of solutions to deal with the issue. There has not yet been an official recall, but the company is offering compensation and/or replacement of the affected joists.

Homeowners Forced Out of Homes with Weyerhauser Joists

Homeowners are dealing with the issues with their home’s construction problems in a variety of ways.

One Minnesota family was forced to live in a hotel for more than three months because of the off-gassing of the joists in their homes.

A few months after purchasing their brand new $500,000 in the Founders Ridge neighborhood in Chaska, they received a notification about the joists from their home’s builder. The letter notified them that they might be at risk because of the high level of formaldehyde being emitted by the home’s building materials.

Travis and Kristen Lambert moved themselves and their two children, ages 17 and 3, into a hotel. They told the local newspaper they’ve met a number of other families in the area also forced from their homes.

Despite Weyerhauser offering compensation and replacing the defective products, there are still affected families who have filed lawsuits.

There are also concerns that items in the home might have also been contaminated from exposure to the formaldehyde off-gassing. This means that not only are the homeowners dealing with building materials that might be dangerous, their furniture and personal items exposed to the contamination might also be damaged.

There is growing concern that Roundup weed killer and gardening products could be carcinogenic.

Many homeowners have concerns over the safety of the items they use in their yards. Many opt for natural or organic products to avoid overuse of chemicals around their children, pets, and themselves. In most cases, these concerns are limited to mild illnesses and just wanting to do what’s best for their loved ones.

However, the increasing concerns over Roundup products goes beyond the typical concerns about yard safety and is based on the product’s active ingredient glyphosate, a chemical that is considered to be a known carcinogen.

Are Users of Roundup Weed Killer at Risk for Cancer?

According to the maker of Roundup weed killing products, Monsanto, there are no official studies that prove a link between its product and an increased risk for developing cancer.

The trouble is many of the studies used to search for a link were funded by Monsanto. Some objective studies have also failed to prove a link, but the safety of the products seems, at best, suspect.

In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is linked to the World Health Organization (WHO), officially classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic.” Both animal studies and lab studies have shown a potential link between exposure to glyphosate and the development of cancerous tumors and damage to human DNA.

Though there are detractors – those who believe the efforts of the IARC aren’t entirely objective – glyphosate continues to be classified as a carcinogen. The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment concurs and considers glyphosate dangerous, but the EPA considers it “probably not” carcinogenic.

Despite the ongoing debate, there are individuals, having been exposed to glyphosate via their use of Roundup weed killer, who believe they developed cancer as a result of the product’s use. Some have even filed lawsuits against Monsanto and are seeking compensation for the damages they’ve experienced, which they believe is linked to their use of Roundup products.

Additional Health Risks Related to Roundup Products

As if a potential cancer link weren’t enough, there are other health concerns linked to Roundup products.

Glyphosate has long been considered a dangerous chemical, even if it is not consistently classified as carcinogenic. The harmful side effects associated with the chemical range from mild to severe and include:

• Skin irritation when glyphosate comes into contact with unprotected skin
• Irritation of the eyes, nose, and mouth when exposed to aerosolized forms of glyphosate
• Burns of the mouth, throat, and esophagus if glyphosate is accidentally or intentionally swallowed
• Permanent liver damage if glyphosate is ingested

Consuming glyphosate can be fatal.

There is also concern exposure to glyphosate could be linked to heart disease, depression, diabetes, autism, and birth defects, though a great deal more scientific evidence is needed to prove any of these links.

Is Roundup Safe to Use?

Until the link between products containing glyphosate and cancer or any other health risks can be disproven beyond a doubt, it is likely better to avoid these products when possible.

If you choose to use Roundup weed killing products, be sure to store them in a safe place away from where children can access it. Cover your body with long pants, long sleeves, goggles, gloves, and a face mask before spraying Roundup.

Should you be exposed to Roundup or any glyphosate containing product, rinse the affected area with water for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Should you or anyone you love swallow Roundup, contact poison control or call 911 immediately.