How does the new bug Shellshock work
1. The hackers can force a computer running Bash to set specially crafted variables.
2. These would allow them to run programs on other people’s devices.
3. Shellshock particularly infects OS X Macs, PCs, routers, modems, servers and websites.
4. The hackers may steel your sensitive information like bank account passwords, credit card passwords and other financial details., if an online shopping or a banking webpage is infected.
5. Experts take its vulnerability as dangerous as “heartbleed” a new virus discovered earlier this year.
6. Some experts take it much more dangerous, than “heartbleed” because it provides direct access to the computer system to the cyber criminals whereas “heartbleed” only enables the hackers to extract data from the infected system.
7. It is linked with processing of environmental variables and may affect the behavior of software.
8. It can be used to attacks millions of computers including government machines.
9. The security “patches” created so far are incomplete and are not capable of providing full system protection.
What can I do to protect my computer from the new bug Shellshock
1. Do not use or restrict credit cards/Online banking service until a proper security against ShellShock is ensured.
2. Avoid visiting unsafe or doubtful web pages.
3. Never disclose your sensitive information like bank account passwords, credit card passwords and other financial details online.
4. Ensure to keep your antivirus/antimalware utility up-to-date.
5. All major Antivirus software vendors are now underway to create a fix for this bug as soon as possible.