This bug allows hackers to take advantage of an encryption vulnerability in the OpenSSL protocol, which is used to secure most web services on the Net. Heartbleed will allow an attacker to gain access to information such as usernames and passwords, as well as the encryption key used by the protocol.
“People need to be familiar with what HTTPS protocol is and also how encryption technology works in order to grasp the seriousness of the issue,” he said.
