--- title: How the Shellshock Vulnerability Puts The World's Data at Risk description: Security experts recently discovered a new software vulnerability that could affect millions of devices and servers across the globe. It’s called Shellshock, and experts are still trying to determine just how big of a threat it is. The consensus, however, is that it poses even more risk than the Heartbleed bug discovered earlier this year. canonical_url: https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/how-shellshock-vulnerability-puts-worlds-data-risk/ locale: en last_updated: 2026-10-27 --- [Acronis Blog](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/) # How the Shellshock Vulnerability Puts The World's Data at Risk Security experts recently discovered a new software vulnerability that could affect millions of devices and servers across the globe. It’s called Shellshock, and experts are still trying to determine just how big of a threat it is. The consensus, however, is that it poses even more risk than the Heartbleed bug discovered earlier this year. [Learn More](https://www.acronis.com/en/products/cyber-protect/) [![Image 2: Acronis Editorial Team](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/d85707ae91461544212d39836dc32b42.png)](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/authors/acronis/ "Acronis Editorial Team") [Acronis Editorial Team](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/authors/acronis/) 1 min read Last updated 26 January 2015 Security experts recently discovered a new software vulnerability that could affect millions of devices and servers across the globe. It’s called Shellshock, and experts are still trying to determine just how big of a threat it is. The consensus, however, is that it poses even more risk than the [Heartbleed bug](http://subzeroblog.acronis.com/posts/how-image-backup-helps-protect-data-against-hidden-threats-qa-joel-berman)discovered earlier this year. “The Shellshock vulnerability was found in a software package called Bash, a command line interpreter, or shell, that provides a powerful, flexible way to run commands on a computer," writes Cesar Cerrudo, chief technology officer at IOActive Labs. “It is the default for all Linux-based operating systems and Apple’s Mac OS X. Bash is also widely used on simple Internet connected devices, many of which run versions of Linux, meaning that not only servers could be compromised but also some home routers, IP cameras, etc.” (via MIT Technology Review) ## Must Reads This Week: **Hurdles to sharing digital healthcare data**: Many American doctors eagerly upgraded to electronic health record systems to comply with the Affordable Care Act. While lower costs and better care through collaboration were supposed to be among the biggest benefits, the only problem is doctors are now finding that the data is incompatible across systems. (via The New York Times) **Data protection recommendations to come for the smart grid**: The United States Department of Energy is working on a set of recommendations to aid data protection as more connected devices come online. The recommendations, however, will be voluntary for manufacturers, smart grid operators and other companies in the space. (via InformationWeek) **One standard to rule all virtualized systems?**: Multiple virtualization systems — and [multiple hypervisors](http://subzeroblog.acronis.com/posts/your-data-covered-multi-hypervisor-world-qa-acronis-sam-roguine) — might be the reality in the modern enterprise. But a new industry effort is underway to standardize how enterprises virtualize their networks. It’s called Open Platform for NFV (OPNFV) and is backed by several industry giants, including The Linux Foundation. (via Data Center Knowledge) _Image via Can Stock Photo_ [Cybersecurity](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/tags/cybersecurity/) [Cyber protection](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/tags/cyber-protection/) ## Written by ![Image 3: Acronis Editorial Team](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/d85707ae91461544212d39836dc32b42.png) Acronis Editorial Team Acronis is a global cyber protection company that provides natively integrated cybersecurity, data protection, and endpoint management for managed service providers (MSPs), small and medium businesses (SMBs), and enterprise IT departments. [Previous post](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/information-explosion-top-trends-handle-data-deluge/) [Information Explosion: Top Trends to Handle the Data Deluge](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/information-explosion-top-trends-handle-data-deluge/) [Next post](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/behind-cover-protecting-digital-data-backbone-print-magazine/) [Behind the Cover: Protecting the Digital Data Backbone of a Print Magazine](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/behind-cover-protecting-digital-data-backbone-print-magazine/) About Acronis Acronis is a leader in AI-native cyber protection, unifying data protection, cybersecurity, IT operations and hybrid infrastructure to deliver business continuity, security and compliance with less cost and complexity. More than 21,000 service providers trust Acronis to protect over 750,000 businesses in 150 countries. Acronis is headquartered in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. [Add as a preferred source on Google](https://google.com/preferences/source?q=acronis.com) ## Related stories Want to learn more? Read the latest stories featuring this solution on our blog. [Acronis Blog](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/) ![Image 4: stc Bahrain and Acronis partner to bring advanced endpoint security to businesses in Bahrain](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/blog-card/9600f3eea83b8f4e168ea6c1409c8c26.png) [stc Bahrain and Acronis partner to bring advanced endpoint security to businesses in Bahrain](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/stc-bahrain-and-acronis-partner-to-bring-endpoint-security-to-businesses/) We are proud to announce a strategic partnership with stc Bahrain, expanding access to advanced cybersecurity services for businesses across Bahrain. **October 26, 2026**3 min read ![Image 5: Introducing New Acronis CEO: Prakash Panjwani](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/blog-card/30cb571f6f1aaa131733e5727a4a250c.png) [Introducing New Acronis CEO: Prakash Panjwani](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/introducing-new-acronis-ceo-prakash-panjwani/) We are pleased to announce the appointment of our new Chief Executive Officer, Prakash Panjwani. A veteran cybersecurity CEO, Panjwani previously served as CEO of WatchGuard Technologies and SafeNet. **October 15, 2026**2 min read ![Image 6: Acronis expands MDR toward broader workspace protection](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/blog-card/18e90e89f5ec4ef0901f19008d4ccbf2.png) [Acronis expands MDR toward broader workspace protection](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/acronis-expands-mdr-toward-broader-workspace-protection/) Acronis is expanding the MDR service with capabilities that make this expertise easier to deliver and help partners address more risks. The developments build on a broader commitment to managed security: helping service providers protect the connected workspace while giving customers access to the expertise needed to investigate threats, respond effectively and maintain business continuity. **October 13, 2026**6 min read