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The bug is in the bash shell which is used on most Linux systems and runs on most Unix type operating systems. While Linux is not even in the same ballpark as Windows so far as desktop use is concerned, it is used extensively on servers, including some banks, large companies, even, I seem to recall, at least one stock exchange. There is apparently a "proof of concept" floating around but so far I have seen no reports of any actual hacks.
Linux is my preferred operating system and I use it on my desktop and notebook I will continue to do so. Whilst Linux is a "safer" operating system than Windows it is neither completely safe nor immune. The lesson to be learnt here is that no operating system is completely safe from human ingenuity. We need to be realistic about the environment we are operating in and act accordingly.
If you have a Linux or Unix operating system you need to make sure that it is up to data and the version of bash on your system has been patched for this bug.
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