Question from Lisa K.: Hi Rick. I have a very simple question for you. Should I be worried about the Heartbleed bug even I only connect to the Internet with my iPad? I never use a computer anymore, only my iPad.
I’m asking you about this because I use several online services that I have to log into on a fairly regular basis and I’m afraid of having my identity stolen. Do you think I should be or am I just being paranoid?
Thanks for taking the time to answer my question Rick. I really love this site and I tell people about it every chance I get!!
Rick’s answer: Thanks for your kind words and recommendations Lisa. They are very much appreciated!
To answer your question, you really do need to be concerned about the Heartbleed bug when using your iPad. In fact, we all need to be concerned about it regardless of which device(s) we use to access our favorite websites.
The Heartbleed bug is a vulnerability in the security software that runs on the servers that host the websites we visit. The security software running on the local device can help minimize the threat, but no device is completely immune to the vulnerability.
The only real way to protect yourself from Heartbleed is to avoid visiting any sites that are affected by it. You can find out if the large, well known site(s) you visit are affected by Heartbleed by checking the list on this page:
http://mashable.com/2014/04/09/heartbleed-bug-websites-affected/
Of course there are millions of smaller, lesser known websites that are also affected by Heartbleed, but aren’t on this list. As always, surf carefully while making your way around the World Wide Web!
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