The Heartbleed Bug caused quite a lot of worry earlier this year. Exposing the extreme vulnerability of online solutions and the lack of safety of data over the internet, this Bug came as a real eye opener to the internet community. Here is an account of everything you need to know about it and how to combat it and keep your information safe.
What is Heartbleed?
Heartbleed is a vulnerability found in OpenSSL, a security standard which encrypts communication between the user and the server. This bug can expose information like your log in username and password and other sensitive information you feed into websites. Over 60% of websites were found to have this bug, so you have to be extra careful over the internet. Here are some things you can do to make your internet experience safer.
Never use the same password for more than one site
Though having one common password is probably pretty convenient, it is extremely unsafe. Even if one site is vulnerable, your entire internet safety gets compromised. As an web or app developer, you should keep your users safe. Having a 2 step conformation process is one way to keep hackers away.
Avoid simple passwords
Your password should not be crack-able. Avoid passwords which are made up of personal details available on social networking platforms. Use a combination of upper and lower case letters and numbers too. Also don’t make your password too short.
Keep your eye open for fake emails
There are a lot of scams going about, especially with the whole heartbleed scare. These are phishing techniques which aim to get your password and personal details. Don’t fall prey to these scams. Ensure you only visit trustworthy websites.
Closely follow your online accounts
Your online accounts like banking, need to be kept safe. Constantly monitor them and immediately report any suspicious activity.
Some websites like Mash, have a list of websites which have the Heartbleed vulnerability. Also, some anti-malware applications can detect such websites. Keep your eyes open and always be cautious. Have a safe internet experience!
