It turns out that the Heart Bleed Bug is not only affecting websites. Software companies are reporting that networking equipment is also currently affected.
“I think this is very concerning for many people,” Darren Hayes, professor of security and computer forensics at Pace University told AP. “It’s going to keep security professionals very busy over the coming weeks and months. Customers need to make sure they’re getting the answers they need.”
The bug affects networking equipment the same way it does to websites. Items such as routers, switches and firewalls use the variant of SSL/TLS known as OpenSSL. OpenSSL is the set of tools that has the Heartbleed vulnerability.
Hackers could use the bug as a way to breach a system and gather and steal passwords and other sensitive information.
Security experts are still telling consumers to change passwords, but that won’t make a difference if the company does not update their software with the required fixes.
Companies like Cisco Systems Inc. and Juniper Networks Inc. continue to advise customers on which product is still vulnerable, fixed and unaffected. Owners may need to install software updates for products that are “fixed.”
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