Hacker conference announces internet security flaw

Just when you thought it was safe to go online, the hackers at Def Con announced a new security flaw regarding the way websites prove their validity.

Currently, websites that deal with personal information make use of SSL technology to maintain a secure connection. You may be more familiar with SSL security by the little padlock icon that shows up in most browsers or the "s" that follows "HTTP" in a web address. Generally these indicators mean that anything you transmitted to the website was secure, but these newly found flaws allow for someone to tap the connection.

Basically this flaw lets a hacker trick your web browser into not looking further at a web address that has a special character in it, letting unscrupulous individuals pose as a legitimate site. From there they can collect personal information and even install software on your computer.