A new software bug namely “Heartbleed” designed to read users’ credit card and online transaction information and trade it for petty gains has arrived in the OpenSSL cryptographic software library. This software library is meant to deploy SSL protection for the web-based applications including email, Internet, VPN, and IM among other things. In a layman’s words, any online activity such as online transfers or transactions involving credit card or debit card protected with a SSL encryption can be seen. The developers of bug can misuse this misinformation for personal and malicious gains and destroy users’ financial background.
Step 1: Install the Latest Fixed OpenSSL Software Version
The users of the OpenSSL software should install its latest version 1.0.1g., which is available for download from the OpenSSL website. Click the “available” link to choose the desired version and start the download.
***You can look for the OpenSSL update through Windows Update also if Windows is running on your machine. Do not forget to install the update with admin permissions.
Step 2: Kill any Suspicious Process
Open up Task Manager and look for any process that looks unfamiliar, suspicious to you. Select the process and click the “End Process” button. Once the process is killed, exit the Task Manager window. If you are unable to terminate a suspicious process, forcibly do it by closing down all the other programs running on the computer and restarting it.
Step 3: Run a Virus Scan
Wake up your antivirus software and update it with the latest virus, bug definitions so that to make it equipped with the sufficient armors and information to deal with Heartbleed and other related bugs, viruses and infections. When the antivirus is done with updates, launch a full virus scan and do the needful for scanning infections and deleting them.
Step 4: Renew SSL Digital Certificate
If you are a developer/site owner or IT person, then get a new SSL digital certificate and revoke the old one for the website. You can get the renewal certificate from the owner whose domain you are using. The renewal is required because the old shortcut keys may lead to the continuing stay of Heartbleed in the system. Thus the renewal or buying a new certificate is mandatory.
Step 5:- Ask Customers to Change Passwords
Being a website/domain owner or IT admin, you must ask your customers, users to change the password for their accounts to escape the virtual attack of Heartbleed. In the absence of a password change, the accounts and online transactions stand a chance to exposure to Heartbleed and its developers.
The bug Heartbleed is indeed a serious threat to the users’ confidential credit and debit cards and the security system deploy companies. If you are a website owner and have had an encounter with Heartbleed, share your experience with us. If you need technical support to deal with website renewal or Heartbleed removal, contact us immediately at our toll-free number +877-907-4935.
