Nick, what are your thoughts on this? I found it while running AVG today.
What is Shellshock?
Shellshock is the latest online threat sent to disrupt us. It's a loophole that affects a piece of software called Bash found mainly in Linux? or Unix? operating systems as well as the Apple? MacOS? X. And while the Shellshock bug is more about web servers and other Internet devices, those can now be turned against your own, more personal devices.
The bug can affect you through malicious requests sent to web servers you interact with, or it can affect your devices directly over insecure Wi-Fi? networks. Attackers can use this exploit to spread malware, steal data, turn your computer into a bot, send spam, or gain complete control over your computer.
How the exploit reaches bugged computers
A. Computers access insecure Wi-Fi? networks:
B. Malicious requests are sent to Web servers:
A few simple steps you can take:
An increasing numbers of patches are being made world-wide to stamp out the bug and prevent further exploitation, however it still makes sense to reduce your exposure and follow some simple steps to ensure you are fully protected across all your devices.
Update your operating systems
Look out for available patches for any web-enabled devices in your home.
Look out for unusual activity
Check your online accounts and also bear in mind that scammers will take advantage of this to send spam emails with dodgy links.
Change your passwords
These alerts help remind us of the need to change our online passwords and have different ones for different sites to limit the risk.
Always check that the websites you visit have fixed their vulnerability beforehand
Extra steps you should take...
...if you also have a Mac?
Apple has already released patch updates users should install ? so look out for these official updates.
They have also made it clear that the bug only affects power users that take advantage of the advanced UNIX services within OS X. If the previous sentence has baffled you, then you are in the group that Apple says are not at risk.
...as a PC user
If you?re running Windows?, it is safe to say that you're less at risk, since Windows? doesn't run Bash, the software that has the bug.
However while you're not affected directly, you could still be at risk if the web servers of the sites you visit are compromised.
Staying safe online is all about layers of security. Just like we do with our homes, garden gates, front doors, alarms and safes - our online security works in the same way.
Firewall, anti-spam, antivirus, anti-malware, anti-phishing and more ? all designed to help stop the things that attack us.
Because we want to help, we're offering you 50% off AVG Internet Security.
What is Shellshock?
Shellshock is the latest online threat sent to disrupt us. It's a loophole that affects a piece of software called Bash found mainly in Linux? or Unix? operating systems as well as the Apple? MacOS? X. And while the Shellshock bug is more about web servers and other Internet devices, those can now be turned against your own, more personal devices.
The bug can affect you through malicious requests sent to web servers you interact with, or it can affect your devices directly over insecure Wi-Fi? networks. Attackers can use this exploit to spread malware, steal data, turn your computer into a bot, send spam, or gain complete control over your computer.
How the exploit reaches bugged computers
A. Computers access insecure Wi-Fi? networks:
B. Malicious requests are sent to Web servers:
A few simple steps you can take:
An increasing numbers of patches are being made world-wide to stamp out the bug and prevent further exploitation, however it still makes sense to reduce your exposure and follow some simple steps to ensure you are fully protected across all your devices.
Update your operating systems
Look out for available patches for any web-enabled devices in your home.
Look out for unusual activity
Check your online accounts and also bear in mind that scammers will take advantage of this to send spam emails with dodgy links.
Change your passwords
These alerts help remind us of the need to change our online passwords and have different ones for different sites to limit the risk.
Always check that the websites you visit have fixed their vulnerability beforehand
Extra steps you should take...
...if you also have a Mac?
Apple has already released patch updates users should install ? so look out for these official updates.
They have also made it clear that the bug only affects power users that take advantage of the advanced UNIX services within OS X. If the previous sentence has baffled you, then you are in the group that Apple says are not at risk.
...as a PC user
If you?re running Windows?, it is safe to say that you're less at risk, since Windows? doesn't run Bash, the software that has the bug.
However while you're not affected directly, you could still be at risk if the web servers of the sites you visit are compromised.
Staying safe online is all about layers of security. Just like we do with our homes, garden gates, front doors, alarms and safes - our online security works in the same way.
Firewall, anti-spam, antivirus, anti-malware, anti-phishing and more ? all designed to help stop the things that attack us.
Because we want to help, we're offering you 50% off AVG Internet Security.
