Planet Money
The hack that almost broke the internet
May 17, 2024
Dive into a narrow escape from a monumental cyberattack that targeted key computers powering the internet! Discover how hackers exploited vulnerabilities in a widely-used open-source program over two years. The discussion highlights the surprising reliance on unpaid, anonymous contributors for major software. Explore the balance of innovation and risk in the open-source movement and how this incident reveals the fragility of our digital infrastructure. It’s a thrilling tale of technology, community, and the unseen dangers lurking in code!
25:12
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Quick takeaways
- The XZ hack exposed vulnerabilities in open source software, showcasing the risks of relying on unpaid volunteers for critical programs.
- Major tech companies shifted to open source for economic benefits, signaling a new era of collaborative software development.
Deep dives
The XZ Hack and Open Source Vulnerabilities
The podcast explores the XZ hack, revealing how a hacker infiltrated the popular software program XZ, which could have granted access to critical computers worldwide. The story highlights the vulnerabilities in open source software due to its decentralized nature, where small teams or individuals may unknowingly create weak spots. This incident underscores the potential risks and challenges associated with relying on single individuals for maintaining significant software projects.
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