Free Ashampoo Spectre Meltdown CPU Checker scans your system and immediately lets you know if it's vulnerable to the two recently identified hardware bugs. Malicious exploitation of these vulnerabilities involves tricking you into executing program code that results in the attacker accessing information from the memory of the various processes running on your system.

Check your system now

Download Ashampoo's checker. Registration is not required, and the application does not need to be installed. Run the checker from its "Start" button in the very simplified graphical user interface to scan the CPU. If your system is vulnerable the "Spectre" and "Meltdown" panels on the program's interface will show a red check-mark. Safe systems receive a green check-mark. A link beneath the two panels takes you back to the Ashampoo website where you'll find lots of advice on what to do.

Ashampoo's tips for protecting your computer

The most important suggestions are to:

• Enable Windows automatic updates to ensure Windows patches for the vulnerabilities are installed.
• Update your BIOS, graphics driver and browsers - in all cases, manufacturers are taking steps to develop patches, driver updates, etc. to mitigate risks.
• Use extreme caution in terms of new (to you) websites and in opening email attachments - in fact, immediately delete any that you are entirely unsolicited. The most common approach cyber-criminals use to infiltrate your computer is via compromised websites and malicious email.

Ashampoo Spectre Meltdown CPU Checker diagnoses desktops and laptops, is compatible with Windows 7 and up, and uses a Microsoft-based algorithm. Quick and easy to use, it will alert you and ensure that you take measures against the two vulnerabilities that you otherwise might not have done. Be safe.