ZD Net reports a software update for Intel wireless hardware is faulty and can hog PC memory. A fix is due today on Intel’s web site.
The problem affects the Intel PROSet software, version 10.5, Amy Martin, an Intel spokeswoman, said. The PROSet software accompanies Intel’s drivers that run the company’s wireless hardware on PCs.
“One of the processes used by the Intel PROSet software was not releasing the (file) handles correctly, which caused more and more memory to be used by the process,” Martin said. As a result, a PC slows down, she said.
The PROSet software was released early in August as part of Intel’s scheduled updates. The new version included some fixes for security flaws, the most serious of which could allow an attacker to break into a PC via Wi-Fi or even create a worm that jumps from one wireless-enabled PC to another.
Intel recommends that users of PCs equipped with Intel wireless hardware install the latest version of the company’s software. A telltale sign that the Intel hardware is present is the “Centrino” sticker on laptops. Some PC makers will ship the updated software on new PCs and make it available to customers with driver updates, Martin said.
Driver flaws have been getting more attention recently. David Maynor, a senior researcher at security service provider SecureWorks, at the Black Hat security event in Las Vegas, demonstrated security flaws in MacBook and Windows laptops.
Apple denied recent claims put forth by SecureWorks researcher David Maynor earlier this month. He claimed Apple’s Macbook computer contains a wireless-security flaw that could let attackers hijack the machines remotely.
But that report was soon qualified: a system must have had third party hardware installed into it. The culprit, it seems, is the wireless equipment, rather than the operating system or architecture of the Mac.
