The document summarizes the Heartbleed vulnerability that affected the OpenSSL cryptographic software library. It describes how OpenSSL was created in 1999 and used algorithms like CIPHER and HASH to encrypt website code and secure communications. In 2012, OpenSSL implemented the Heartbeat extension to test connections without needing to renegotiate each time for faster encryption and decryption. However, hackers discovered a bug in this extension that allowed them to decrypt private data from major websites over a 13 month period, compromising users' personal information. The summary urges users to change their passwords in light of this massive breach.

1. HEARTBLEED: A Graphic Representation

2. On December 3rd 1999, Ben Laurie founded OpenSSL, an implementation of
Transport Layer Security(TLS).

3. OpenSSL is a cryptography program
designed to encrypt website code,
locking out hackers by using algorithms
such as CIPHER, and HASH. These
algorithms scramble the message
(encryption), send through the system
to the other user, and the message is
unencrypted so the user can read it.

4. Here is an example of how encryption and decryption works:

5. On March 14th of 2012, OpenSSL implemented a new code called the
Heartbeat extension, a code designed to test and keep alive secure
communication links without the need to renegotiate the connection each time. This
extension was supposed to help the system and make encryption and decryption
go faster.

6. For about 13 months, Heartbeat worked without error, helping users with decryption.

7. But hackers got to work, attempting to alter and crack the system to mess
everyone’s lives up and get very, VERY rich.

8. BUT THEN DISASTER STRUCK! HACKERS FOUND A BUG IN THE SYSTEM AND DECRYPTED EVERYTHING FROM
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS TO CREDIT CARD NUMBERS! MASSIVE WEBSITES WERE HACKED INCLUDING:

12. So be sure to CHANGE YOUR
PASSWORDS!