Here's how 'Meltdown' and 'Spectre' got those terrifying names

Meltdown and Spectre. Spectre, and Meltdown. The two vulnerabilities, both affecting computer processors across the globe, were disclosed on Jan. 3 and in the process sent manufactures scrambling to answer whether or not their operating systems, laptops, cloud computers, and smartphones are safe from hackers.

But another, less technical, question presents itself: just how did the bugs get those cool names?

It turns out we have the security researchers who first discovered Meltdown and Spectre to thank for the terror-evoking nomenclature that may haunt us for years to come. And, importantly, that was kind of the point.  Read more...