Message to Employees about ‘Heartbleed’ Cyber Vulnerability
April 16, 2014
Dear Colleagues:
As you may know, ‘Heartbleed’ is a security vulnerability widely reported last week that can put a user’s personal data at risk of being intercepted. This vulnerability undermines the encryption process on secure websites, e-mail, instant messaging, and likely a wide variety of other programs and applications. Moreover, if a user’s password is intercepted, then a malicious actor could use that password to access the user’s account.
The DHS Office of Cybersecurity and Communications, part of the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD), has coordinated a response to the threat by issuing information and guidance to the public and key stakeholders.
‘Information sharing is a key part of the Department of Homeland Security’s important mission to create shared situational awareness of potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities,’ Larry Zelvin, National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center director, said in a blog post
‘DHS, through our National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center, actively collaborates with public and private sector partners every day to make sure they have the information and tools they need to protect the systems we all rely on,’ he added.
Here are a few tips to ensure your personal information stays secure:
· Check to see if websites you frequently use have patched the Heartbleed vulnerability. There are a number of security sites that are offering to verify the web address of internet providers. Do not login to a website, or change your password, until you have confirmed that it has been patched.
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· Closely monitor your credit and accounts for suspicious activity. Keep an eye out for purchases you didn’t make, or messages you didn’t send or post over the next few weeks.
· Ensure websites that require personal information are secure. Whenever a website requires you to provide personal information, such as your credit card or bank account number, make sure the URL begins with https.
· Be aware of possible phishing attacks. If you receive an email claiming to be from your email provider, bank, or another website you frequently log onto prompting you to change your password, make sure the email is legitimate. To be safe, go directly to websites to change your password, and type the link yourself rather than clicking on links embedded in emails.
It is all of our shared responsibility to be careful and informed in accessing the Internet. For more information, send your questions to *****.
Sincerely,
Deputy Under Secretary, NPPD, Cybersecurity and Communications
Chief Information Officer
Assistant Secretary, NPPD, Cybersecurity and Communications