Five ways to keep safe online in the wake of AI-supercharged hacking

With the recent discovery of a hackable vulnerability in PHP, the coding language that underpins 70% of websites, experts are sounding the alarm on online safety. While software providers and organizations bear the primary responsibility for patching vulnerabilities, there are steps individuals can take to protect themselves.

Emily Austin, a principal security researcher at Censys, recommends enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA), which requires two forms of verification, such as a password plus a text-based code or security key. She also advises using unique passwords for each website and monitoring transactions.

Dan Guido, CEO of Trail of Bits, suggests turning on automatic updates for all devices, including phones, computers, and home routers. Although consumers are ultimately reliant on the services they use, he emphasizes the importance of companies deploying fixes quickly to limit vulnerabilities.

Runa Sandvik, founder of Granitt, urges users to update apps and services on their devices regularly, and to check for updates from device vendors if updates are not frequent or absent. Patching software is crucial in the age of AI, where attackers can exploit vulnerabilities with ease. However, fixing these issues across various systems remains challenging.

Cybersecurity experts warn of increased scamming attempts following major cybersecurity threats. Nic Adams, co-founder of 0rcus, advises being cautious of unsolicited links and verifying information directly from the company's app or website. Banks are preparing for these threats by enhancing security measures, but consumers should also take precautions, such as not reusing passwords across shopping sites and considering passkeys for added security.