{
  "id": 16017679,
  "title": "Websites down: What is PHP and how has it raised AI hacking fears?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/websites-down-what-is-php-and-how-has-it-raised-ai-hacking-fears",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-22T08:27:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/world/20261022/websites-down-what-is-php-and-how-has-it-raised-ai-hacking-fears"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Artificial intelligence has uncovered security flaws in the widely-used programming language PHP, causing numerous websites to go offline on Thursday. Concern over the increased risk of cyberattacks due to AI's rapid advancements is growing globally. PHP, created in the early 1990s, powers an estimated 70 percent of the world's websites and serves as a vital foundation for web design, according to security firm Wiz Research. The flaws could potentially enable hackers to breach a variety of sites, including online stores and government services. A fix was released on Wednesday, urging companies and organizations to update their PHP systems immediately, stating: \"If you run PHP, it is imperative that you update now.\"",
  "summary": "TOKYO — Artificial intelligence has found critical security flaws in a major programming language called PHP, with many websites taken offline Thursday as organizations worldwide scramble to fend off would-be hackers. As AI's fast-advancing capabilities fuel concern over the increased risk of cyberattacks, here are some questions and answers about the situation: What is PHP and how widely used is…",
  "key_points": [
    "PHP powers 70% of global websites",
    "AI uncovers security flaws in PHP",
    "Fix released urging immediate updates"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The discovery of these vulnerabilities demonstrates how rapid advancements in artificial intelligence can transform legacy codebases into high-risk targets for hackers seeking to breach essential online services.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Websites down: What is PHP and how has it raised AI hacking fears?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/websites-down-what-is-php-and-how-has-it-raised-ai-hacking-fears-16021320",
        "published": "2026-10-22T08:57:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}