CRA online services back in business following Heartbleed scare

TAX DEADLINE NOW MAY 5

OTTAWA – The federal tax agency says its online services are up and running again after it blocked public access five days ago due to the so-called Heartbleed bug.

The Canada Revenue Agency says the security risk has been addressed, but added it will not apply interest or penalties to individual taxpayers filing their 2013 tax returns after April 30 for a period equal to the length of the service interruption.

Revenue Minister Kerry-Lynne Findlay says that means 2013 tax returns filed by May 5 will not incur interest or penalties.

The CRA has apologized to Canadians for the delay and inconvenience, but added it was necessary to ensure the agency's online services were safe and secure.

Service has also been restored to all publicly accessible Government of Canada websites, the Treasury Board said in a release.

The Heartbleed bug is caused by a flaw in OpenSSL software, which is commonly used on the Internet to provide security and privacy.

The bug is affecting many global IT systems in both private and public sector organizations and has the potential to expose private data.

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Howard Alexander

Assistant Editor Howard Alexander comes to iNFOnews.ca from the broadcasting side of the media business.

Howard has been a reporter, news anchor, talk show host and news director, first in Saskatchewan and then the Okanagan.

He moved his family to Vernon in the 90s and is proud to call the Okanagan home.

If you have an event to share contact Howard at 250-309-5343or email halexander@infonews.ca.