AI Finds Flaw in Code Used by 70% of Websites, Sparking Millions of Attacks
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Artificial intelligence has discovered a serious flaw inside PHP, a programming language used to build around 70% of the world's websites. The discovery has caused a global cybersecurity alarm.
Soon after the flaw became known, millions of cyberattack attempts began within just a few hours. Hackers tried to use the weakness to break into websites before owners could fix it.
PHP is a programming language that developers use to create websites and online services. Because so many sites depend on it, the flaw puts a huge part of the internet at risk.
The AI that found the flaw was reportedly searching for weaknesses in common software. Finding a problem at the core of such a widely used language raised serious concern among experts.
A flaw like this is dangerous because it can give attackers a way to access private data or take control of a website. Experts call this type of weakness a vulnerability.
Cybersecurity teams around the world are now working quickly to patch, or fix, the problem. A patch is an update that repairs a flaw in software.
Because the attacks started so fast, security experts say website owners must act immediately. Delaying updates could leave millions of sites open to further exploits, which is when attackers use a flaw to cause harm.
This event shows how AI can both help and challenge cybersecurity. It can find dangerous flaws quickly, but criminals can also use that information fast, before systems are protected.
Vocabulary7 words
- flaw
- a weak point or mistake in software
- cyberattack
- an attempt to break into a computer system
- programming language
- a system of code used to build software
- vulnerability
- a weak spot that can be attacked
- cybersecurity
- protection of computers and data from attacks
- patch
- a fix that repairs a software problem
- exploit
- using a weakness to cause harm or gain access
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Quiz
Answer key
1. A flaw in PHP affecting many websites 2. PHP is used by about 70% of websites 3. False
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Artificial intelligence has discovered a serious _____ inside PHP.
PHP is used to build around 70% of the world's _____.
Millions of cyberattack attempts began within just a few _____.
Hackers tried to use the weakness to break into websites before owners could _____ it.
PHP is a programming language that developers use to create websites and online _____.
Experts call this type of weakness a _____.
Cybersecurity teams around the world are now working quickly to _____ the problem.
A patch is an update that repairs a flaw in _____.
Delaying updates could leave millions of sites open to further _____.
AI can find dangerous flaws quickly, but _____ can also use that information fast.
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