How Hackers Changed The World And How AI Is Changing Hacking
Hacking has been around since the invention of the internet. The term hacking was invented by MIT students back in the 60s, but it really took off in the 80 when computers started their walk towards glory. Today, hackers are the reason for trillions of dollars in damages yearly.
Yes, the damage that hackers cause is measured in US dollars as several trillion yearly. The estimates say that by 2025, the amount will reach over $10 trillion, which is truly a fantastic number.
Hackers’ targets are companies of all sizes. No one is spared. Hackers ask for a ransom to get stolen data back, indulge in corporate espionage, or simply cause damage to provide an advantage for the competition. The average ransom amount is $4.35 million per attack, so you can see the problem’s volume here.
How Did It All Begin?
The first hackers were not nearly as negative for the economy as they are today. Back in the 80s, hackers would hack into computers to cause systems to work better, not worse. Only with the invention of the internet in the 90s would hackers get the idea of making financial gain out of it.
By the year 2000, the internet controlled many computers worldwide, and hacking was a serious business. Millions of dollars in damages were already caused by stealing information, bank accounts, and even army weapons. That’s where the ideas for movies like Tron and War Games came, which we undoubtedly witnessed later.
Today, nearly all digital devices are connected to the internet. Although strong anti-virus and anti-hacking software were developed, hackers can easily intrude. With so many victims available, it’s not tough to get through.
Numbers say that every second American has had their account breached. In 2021, reports showed that US internet users experienced 759% more attacks than the second most attacked country – Canada. That shows that the US is the favorite country in the world for hackers to attack.
Where Are We Now?
Things are so exciting in the world of hacking today. When we say this, it doesn’t mean we’re excited to see that hackers are successful but that many changes are happening actively due to the rise of various technologies. Both companies, individuals, governments, and hackers benefit from these technologies.
The only issue with it is – not too many people are aware of the rise of technology, tech improvements, and opportunities everyone has to hack or prevent hacking attempts. Smart business owners will hire professional IT hardware and software services to protect them and their networks, while those who ignore the issue will most likely get hit and suffer.
In 2022, we saw different hacking trends rise, with others slowly falling down. With the global pandemic taking over our lives and forcing everyone to use their computers and the internet more, hackers saw an excellent opportunity and thrived in the new environment.
Stats show that the most popular hacking strategy in 2022 was still phishing, but a rise was noted in the area of IoT technology, supply chains, and social media. The trends are expected to continue, so mind the links you open and stay safe.
AI Steps In The Game
Over the last few months, we witnessed the rise of the impressive new software of OpenAI called ChatGPT. People were stunned by the capabilities of this Artificial Intelligence software and what it is capable of. The truth about AI is that it was present in the hacking world long before ChatGPT appeared.
Hackers have been using it for their attempts and covering their traces, but companies have been using it too for the same need – protecting against black hat hackers. According to some sources, the AI cybersecurity market will reach over $133 billion by 2030, but will this be enough to cut the hundreds of trillions in damages expected to emerge by the same time?
The amounts grow exponentially for both parties. Companies and individuals are expected to spend more for AI protection, but the numbers are growing for hackers too. They will undoubtedly be more successful as AI won’t take sides based on moral principles but will work for those who give out the order.
Wrapping Up
No one could say where the industry and the technology would be today if hackers’ enormous damages and obstacles were not part of our reality. On the other hand, corporate espionage and ethical hacking made many individuals try harder and develop a safer cyber world for us.
Hackers trying to reshape the digital world and the Web3 ecosystem are making tectonic changes. They will drive technology forward in the future, and how we respond and protect ourselves will show how successful black hat hackers become. They won’t stand a chance with the right tools and knowledge, but companies and individuals who remain ignorant will suffer tremendous damage.
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