Because details of the attack, first disclosed Thursday by Reuters, are so vague we are left to assume the worst -- and the worst is pretty bad.

It's possible that the VeriSign hackers could turn the Web upside down and create an Internet where nothing would be what it seems. A hacker website could look and act just like your bank's website. Your PC could easily be tricked into downloading automatic software updates that would appear authentic but actually contain viruses. And no matter what web address you typed into your browser, you could be redirected to a criminal's website half-way around the world.

Again, these dire predictions are only because Verisign has not revealed the full extent of the damage. For more, check out this msnbc.com story.