The world of the web faced a serious challenge this past week, as AI found a highly complex security vulnerability in PHP, a platform and programming language used by roughly 70 percent of websites worldwide, including many in Australia.
It affected everyone: from small sites to big ones to media entities to government and the corporate world. While PHP isn’t the only platform and language in town, its wide use means billions of sites were likely affected.
What brought this coding calamity, and was everyone prepared?
Pickr’s Leigh Stark explains how AI uncovered these flaws, but also the potential double-edged sword where AI could be used to break into servers using it.
Frustratingly, it’s a problem that could see websites dealing with the repercussions for some time, with businesses and website owners being advised to consult their IT departments or service providers for solutions, or risk a potentially worse situation.
Hear the segment below, where Pickr’s Leigh Stark joins 4BC’s Carla Bignasca on October 22 to talk about what happened and what can be done to fix it.
