This week, news of a bug in encryption software that allowed malefactors access to sensitive information across the web created international uproar. The bug has been dubbed Heartbleed and can affect everyone who uses sites from Yahoo to the Canadian Revenue Agency. Knowledge is power, so it’s important to find out how you can protect yourself from being exploited.
Heartbeat Heartbleed Bug Breaks Worldwide Internet Security Again (And Yahoo)
Forbes
What is Heartbleed and how does it undermine the security of your favorite websites? Forbes
security contributor James Lyne gives some background and shines light on what you should be doing to protect yourself in the event your information is hijacked.
Now there’s an easy way to flag sites vulnerable to Heartbleed
Ars Technica
A new extension has been created to identify whether the sites you are visiting are safe. The extension works on Chrome, Firefox and Opera browsers and can let you know if you’re in any danger as you cruise through the net. Given the questionable response many of the affected sites have undertaken, downloading this plugin might be a great idea.
The First Heartbleed Arrest Has Been Made
TIME
Canadian authorities have tracked down a nineteen year old alleged hacker who exploited the bug in the Canadian Revenue Service’s website. Once inside, he stole the Social Insurance Numbers and other sensitive information of about 900 Canadian taxpayers.
Now you know everything you need to protect yourself from the Heartbleed bug. Download the plugin for your browser, research the sites you use and change your passwords! Good luck and happy web surfing! If you have any tips to keep information secure, please share below. As always, we appreciate you reading and welcome your comments below.
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Joe Ducar is a public relations intern for WordWrite Communications.
