• Microsoft has warned that hundreds of millions of Windows PCs are also vulnerable to the recently discovered ‘Freak’ security vulnerability, originally thought to affect only mobile devices and Mac computers.
• It’s reported that the security vulnerability could allow attacks on PCs that connect to intentionally-weakened encryption technology (US government regulations ban exports of the strongest encryption) which, if successful, would allow hackers to infect PCs with malicious software and spy on communications.
• Security experts advise that hackers would need to invest significant time, as they would first need to locate a vulnerable server, break the key, then locate and gain access to a vulnerable PC or mobile device.
• ‘Freak’ stands for Factoring RSA-EXPORT Keys.

Read more:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/06/us-cybersecurity-freak-microsoft-idUSKBN0M220920150306

http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/consumer-security/microsoft-warns-freak-attacks-put-hundreds-of-millions-of-pcs-at-risk-20150306-13xr0s.html

http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2015/03/06/microsoft_reacted_to_the_freak_vulnerability_later_than_apple_and_google.html

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