Heartbleed Bug: What You Need to Know
A bug known as “Heartbleed” is making major headlines. Here’s what it means to you and the steps you can take to minimize potential harm.
What is Heartbleed?
“Heartbleed” is a security flaw that affects the technology called “OpenSSL” that is used to encrypt websites. These websites usually begin with “https” and have a lock next to the URL. The Heartbleed bug could give attackers access to the information that was entered on a website, including user names and passwords.
What websites are affected?
Roughly 2/3 of active sites on the internet use Open SSL and could be vulnerable to attacks. However, most major sites acted quickly to fix any vulnerability and ensure the safety of their website and customers. If you’re wondering if a particular website is safe or still vulnerable you can check using this tool, which has been recommended by security experts:https://filippo.io/Heartbleed/.
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