Hey Steemians, if you are running Windows, please try to install this patch (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4056892/windows-10-update-kb4056892) release by Microsoft as soon as possible. It is meant to protect you against the MELTDOWN vulnerability. This is affecting most processors (CPUs) that were manufactured in the past 20 years. Go to your Windows Updates page and make sure the following is installed.
There are compatibility issues with certain anti-virus and some of you may not have received this patch. Microsoft did not reveal which are the incompatible anti-virus. However, I am using AVG and it was compatible with mine :). More information can be found here (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4072699/important-information-regarding-the-windows-security-updates-released) and here (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4056897/windows-7-update-kb4056897). In addition, do also check your browsers for the latest patch. Especially when you are using MIST, Metamask or just to interact with MEW.
More information on the vulnerability can be found here https://spectreattack.com/. It can potentially be used to steal your passwords, and possibly your keys to your crypto wallets, and should not be taken lightly. Even MyEtherWallet had issued a warning on their Twitter.
This is a quick post as I am rushing off to work. I will update this post again later tonight with more information. Stay safe guys!
---Update---
Here is a link to a list of anti virus and the support status (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/184wcDt9I9TUNFFbsAVLpzAtckQxYiuirADzf3cL42FQ/edit#gid=0)
As for browser patch, if you are a Microsoft Edge/IE user, you are covered by the KB4056892 patch for Windows.
Firefox releases 57.0.4 to patch this yesterday:
https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/57.0.4/releasenotes/?utm_source=firefox-browser&utm_medium=firefox-browser&utm_campaign=whatsnew
Chrome will be releasing a patch some time on 23 Jan. There are no known attack through this vulnerability so far, but if you are a paranoid Chrome user, you might want to switch to Firefox for now.