Computer Security What is the Heartbleed Security Flaw and How to Protect...

What is the Heartbleed Security Flaw and How to Protect Yourself from Disaster

heartbleed security flaw internetComputer users on the Internet are faced with yet another daunting issue where the data that makes its way from your computer to Internet servers is in serious jeopardy of being compromised. This serious issue is a nasty bug called Heartbleed, which has already compromised at least 66% of active websites, according to the researchers who have discovered it.

The use of Internet account usernames and passwords all get filtered through the Internet using certain security protocols so the data is encrypted and virtually hidden from cybercriminals or others who may want to obtain your personal information. This data, usually comprised of usernames, passwords and other personal details, has faced serious opposition with Heartbleed.

Heartbleed is allowing hackers to break the encryption code for the information that you send through the internet. In doing so, Hearbleed is in a way "bleeding" out your personal information and making it as easy pie to take your data and use it against you or for possible monetary gain at your expense. The possibilities are endless when you consider a hacker who is armed with the necessary tools and your personal information to basically infiltrate your bank account, email, or even your social networking accounts.

Due to the widespread and hysteria tied with Heartbleed recently, computer users are looking for ways to safeguard their information and avoid succumbing to Heartbleed at all costs. Fortunately, there are ways you can help avoid becoming the latest disaster story tied to Heartbleed.

There is a test you can run on any website to see if it has been affected by Heartbleed. Performing this check on sites that you visit often or access with a login using a personal username and password is essential to complete before logging into such site.

So far, Heartbleed has affected large sites like Amazon and Yahoo to some minor extent. Both companies have said they are in process of fixing the vulnerability on their ends, but it still behooves you to limit access until it is fully resolved. Additionally, it may not be a good idea to change your passwords just yet unless the company has instructed you to do so, or at least until the problem has been fully resolved.

Other steps you can take to avoid the devastation that Heartbleed can lead to, is check your banking account and credit card statements. If, for some reason, your online account has been hijacked or compromised due to Heartbleed's security flaw making its way to your servicing company's website, you may pick up on fraudulent charges that hackers have made on an account compromised due to the flaw. This will allow you to expedite a fix for the damages and avoid additional charges.

In the case that you are overly paranoid about the whole Heartbleed debacle, you may want to avoid surfing the internet and stay on dry 'internet-free' land for a few days until the sites affected by Heartbleed are inoculated have ample security to block and prevent a Heartbleed security flaw.

Eventually, Internet companies will catch onto Heartbleed and stop its "bleeding" in some form. It is only a matter of time due to security experts already revealing Heartbleed is an achievable fix despite its initial scare and potential collateral damage it could cause if left untouched.

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