Vulnerability in computer chips sparks security fears and debate
Researchers expressed concerns on Wednesday that hackers could access sensitive data on most modern systems, as technology firms sought to play down the security risks.
Chip giant Intel issued a statement responding to a flurry of warnings surfacing after researchers discovered the security hole which could allow privately stored data in computers and networks to be leaked.
Intel labeled as incorrect reports describing a "bug" or "flaw" unique to its products.
Intel chief executive Brian Krzanich told CNBC that "basically all modern processers across all applications" use this process known as "access memory," which was discovered by researchers at Google and kept confidential as companies work on remedies.
Google, meanwhile, released findings from its security researchers who sparked the concerns, saying it made the results public days ahead of schedule because much of the information had been in the media.