{
  "id": 16213373,
  "title": "The Safe Internet Is Shrinking",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/the-safe-internet-is-shrinking",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-23T18:28:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Atlantic",
    "slug": "the-atlantic",
    "url": "https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/2026/10/the-safe-internet-is-shrinking/689130/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The internet faces a growing threat of cyberattacks, with experts warning that 2023 may be remembered as a dangerous period known as \"Black October.\" Major vulnerabilities in PHP, a programming language used by 70% of websites, prompted precautionary measures from governments, hospitals, and companies worldwide. This was just one of a series of alarming revelations, including successful hacks of Netflix, PayPal, Walmart, and other well-known platforms.\n\nSecurity flaws in crucial software, like Railway used by Intuit and MGM Resorts, further increased the risk. Sam Rubin, a senior vice president at cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks, expressed concern over the frequency and severity of these incidents. He expects this trend to continue, with AI agents being used as a cost-effective and almost unlimited hacking army.\n\nThe internet has become more dangerous than before, with AI agents now capable of finding vulnerabilities and automating attacks. This has led to a surge in malicious cyber activity, including website defacements, data theft, and ransomware proliferation. Security experts warn that the internet could be entering a \"valley of pain,\" where the risk of cyberattacks remains high.\n\nCombatting this threat will require rapid and extensive collaboration from various sectors, as vulnerable software, such as Node.js, can infect thousands of organizations in a \"supply-chain attack.\" However, experts remain divided on whether AI can ultimately help make the internet safer. While some believe AI will be used to address major cybersecurity flaws, others argue that it will introduce even more problems, making the task of securing the internet a long and challenging process.",
  "summary": "An explosion of AI-powered hacks will reshape life online.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}