Coping with bleeding in the heart

Earlier this month, the Internet Open SSL broke a big hole. The vulnerability was named heartbleed, meaning "heart bleeding." For ordinary people, understanding this loophole is more difficult: OpenSSL is equivalent to a door lock in the Internet. It can ensure that all the user's information is not seen by a third party, and the loophole causes the encrypted data to be stolen.

Internet users who may not have considered online passwords in the past are now shifting their minds because of a "bleeding heart" loophole, and even guaranteeing security through double verification.

Earlier this month, the Internet Open SSL broke a big hole. The vulnerability was named heartbleed, meaning "heart bleeding." For ordinary people, understanding this loophole is more difficult: OpenSSL is equivalent to a door lock in the Internet. It can ensure that all the user's information is not seen by a third party, and the loophole causes the encrypted data to be stolen.

Internet users who may not have considered online passwords in the past are now shifting their minds because of a "bleeding heart" loophole, and even guaranteeing security through double verification.

However, other Internet companies declined to say whether they detected more password changes or double authentication. Many companies, including Google and Yahoo, said that they have patched the vulnerabilities, but it is not clear whether each company's website repaired at the first time is still vulnerable to attacks.

This uncertainty may make users increase the use of password service software, a password management software 1Password quickly became popular. According to its developer, AgileBits, the software downloads from Apple’s app store rose from the top 200 to the top 10 shortly after the bleeding heart leak.

However, people’s awareness of safety can only last long. "1Password software downloads are currently ranked 67th in the Apple App Store.

Mike Lloyd, chief technology officer at security analysis service provider RedSeal Network, believes: "The bleeding heart bleeding has affected people's thinking for at least a while."

Security experts and service companies cannot estimate how many users change passwords or start using two-factor authentication on major online services. But they said they have noticed a new sign - even non-technical personnel - to start paying attention to security issues.

"The bleeding heart bleeding hole is not just a small area. It has a very large scope of influence," said Zulfikar Ramzan, chief technology officer of cloud security company Elastica. "I have to do more to ensure safety."

Other experts also agree with this view. They say that more people who may not be technology-savvy are changing their passwords or adopt smarter ways to ensure safe Internet access. "This loophole is a warning to users, and the bleeding heart leaks make more people strengthen their passwords," said Lloyd.

People can also have a more comprehensive view of their online accounts. Now, it is not wise for Internet users to use the same password on social networking sites and online banking.

Using different passwords to log in to different websites, although this is not revolutionary, it is progressive.

“Sometimes we need a disaster to let people do what they need to do all the time,” commented Steve Pate, chief designer from HyTrust.