'Heartbleed' bug just got much worse

Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse … they do.

The "Heartbleed" bug that has floored Internet experts around the world just got more dangerous.

Cisco and Juniper, two of the largest router and Internet equipment makers, said today that the vulnerability, which exposes encrypted data like passwords, is present in their routers, switches and firewalls. Did you read that? We're talking the Internet's routers, switches and firewalls.

This is terrible news, folks.

Why? Because these behind-the-scenes pieces of equipment are present everywhere. Tens of thousands of routers and switches, present in businesses and homes, need to either be patched or physically replaced. What are the chances all of the businesses that need to do this will actually take action?

This is difficult for both consumers and businesses. I'm going to stay on this story and offer the best advice on how to cope as news breaks in the coming days.

What should you do now? Please click here to see Cisco's list of affected products. The company warns that the list is subject to change. And it will.

Juniper has information on this problem as well, but it's geared toward enterprise system administrators. Click here to read it.

For a complete guide to my Heartbleed coverage, click here. Don't worry, I have your back.