If you don't know what the heartbleed bug is, you need to start now!

The Internet’s Most Widespread Vulnerability

Remember when you were a little kid and you and your friends had your own secret code words and no one was able to tell what you were saying???  Now, imagine that someone had a secret decoder ring and was able to understand everything you were saying.  But this is the best part, you didn’t even know that a decoder ring existed for your imaginary language!  Oh, and this decoder ring has been available in every box of cereal on store shelves!

Now lets change some of the details of the story….

• Store Shelves = Internet
• Cereal Boxes = Websites/Webservices
• Secret Code = encryption
• Friend = Server
• Decoder = Heartbleed bug

How many boxes of cereal were on store shelves that came with a prize?  Imagine if 66% of them did.  That is a lot of decoder rings.

xkcd comics

From the Heartbleed homepage:

[The Heartbleed bug] compromises the secret keys used to identify the service providers and to encrypt the traffic, the names and passwords of the users and the actual content... As long as the vulnerable version of OpenSSL is in use it can be abused.  

So, when you are accessing a website and sending your information out and getting information back, all this 'computer talking' should be encrypted, and no one should have the key except for you and the server you are talking with.  And in some cases, this is probably true and hasn't changed.

But if the website you are using protects information using any version of OpenSSL released in the past 2 years (May 2012), than you probably should change your password...NOW!  

OpenSSL is used by the web servers Apache and nginx, it is used to protect "email servers (SMTP, POP and IMAP protocols), chat servers (XMPP protocol), virtual private networks (SSL VPNs), network appliances and wide variety of client side software."  This pretty much includes more than half the internet.  

Well, at least it was discovered by a researcher for Google and the security engineers at Codenomicon instead of a hacker, right???  At least everyone assumes, but there really is no way to tell for sure because Heartbleed is undetectable, untraceable. 

The only way to be safe now is to change your passwords.  If you have entered a password on any account that has been using the OpenSSL Versions issued in the past 2+ years, change it!  But not until you know that the site has installed a patch and issued new certificates.  If they haven’t, don’t try to access that account!  Any information passed between you and the server is still susceptible.   

For more information on the Heartbleed Bug, or to see if a site you use could be affected, check out these sources:

• Heartbleed.com

• Heartbleed Test: http://filippo.io/Heartbleed/

• Top 10000 Heartbleed List 

• Mashable's Heartbleed Hit List 

• Another Heartbleed Test site:  https://lastpass.com/heartbleed/

• Cnet's Top 100 

Resources:

www.heartbleed.com

http://mashable.com/2014/04/09/heartbleed-nightmare/

https://lastpass.com/heartbleed/

http://www.cnet.com/news/heartbleed-bug-what-you-need-to-know-faq/

Steps to Protect!

Web Application threats are becoming more and more of an issue for businesses and individuals. Luckily, there are many steps to stay protected and to prevent threats in the future.

Steps to protect/prevent threats within a business

Employee Training

Having the most secure networks and technology can be useless if employees do not understand their responsibilities in protecting the company’s resources. Not all employees will be tech savy, or up- to- date on the latest online safety procedures. It is the employers’ job to train employees on understanding the policies and practices that must be followed regarding online safety. Keeping files backed up, carefully scanning emails, and following rules on downloading and installing programs, can reduce the amount of vulnerabilities in your network, but only if employees are frequently trained on how to do so.

Protecting the Network

The primary tool for communication for a company is through email, which is also a primary way for a threat. Daily, many employee email accounts are flooded with fraudulent emails containing spam, and viruses, which may sometimes end up in the inbox instead of the spam folder. Compromising a company’s web address, and re-directing consumers to a different website is a way to hijack consumer information. These type of attacks are known as phishing. To reduce phishing, monitor returned emails, and consumer complaints pertaining to logins, passwords, and changes. Frequently search for websites that may have similar spelling to yours, also, search for the usage of your company’s logo.   

Steps to protect/prevent threats at home

Strong Passwords

I’m sure you’re thinking, “My password is strong enough, no one knows my birthday!”, but actually you may be wrong. Cracking passwords is a common security threat among attackers. A strong password does not only consist of numbers, but also symbols and a combination of upper and lowercase letters. Having a variety of passwords may be beneficial just in case one of your passwords becomes compromised.

Anti-Virus, Firewalls, and Anti-Malware

Viruses and malware can spread in many ways including through downloads, pop-ups, email attachments, links, and even over networks. It is very important to keep an anti-virus and anti-malware running on your computer to ensure protection. There are many times where you may accidentally click on a pop-up while trying to close it, and if that protection isn’t running on your computer to fight off the attack, it could cause major damages. If you are not sure what type of anti-virus/anti-malware to use, there are many free trials available on cnet.com.  Popular anti-virus software such as McAfee, Norton, and Avast are a few that you can “try before you buy”. Firewalls on the other hand are already installed on your desktop or laptop computers. Enabling your firewall protects your computer from network attacks and threats. If you are a mobile browser such as myself, these software are available for installation, simply by visiting your mobile’s application market.

Updates

Using updated software, plugins, and web browsers are critical to stay protected. By changing user settings to “automatically update”, that will ensure your software is always up-to-date. Often after an update, the software may prompt you to reboot the computer so that changes may be applied. Without properly updating software, plugins, and browsers, that may open up a window for an attack.

Tips

From a business and individual standpoint, it is important to stay educated. Always pay attention to the news regarding internet safety and changes. Don’t be afraid to share tips with family and friends. Browse and download safely from the websites and applications that you trust. Having control over your online safety is the way to keep YOUR privacy private.


References:
http://www.staysafeonline.org/business-safe-online/monitor-threats/
http://www.staysafeonline.org/business-safe-online/protect-your-customers/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jameslyne/2013/10/22/computer-virus-spreading-that-means-you-never-get-to-see-your-files-again/
http://download.cnet.com/windows/antivirus-software/