Experts predict a major cyberattack will cause widespread harm to life and property by 2025,
according to a Pew Research Center survey.
The study, which was released Wednesday, canvassed experts and Internet builders, with 61 percent of 1,642 respondents agreeing that a major cyberattack would occur by 2025.
Cyberattacks could wreak as much damage as bombs by taking out financial systems, the power grid, and health systems.
Such attacks are likely to become a component to military actions,
futurist Jamais Cascio said, according to USA Today.
The Pew Research Center tweeted about the findings.
"The tools already exist to mount cyberattacks now and they will improve in coming years — but countermeasures will improve, too," the Pew report said.
Key themes among the experts who said an attack is imminent are: the Internet is an inviting target as a critical infrastructure for essential defense, energy, banking, and transportation systems; security generally is not the first concern of technology developers; and major cyberattacks already have happened.
Those who say a major cyberattack isn’t imminent counter that there is steady progress in security measures; the threat of retaliation will deter attacks; and cyberattack hype is an exaggeration by those who stand to benefit from an atmosphere of fear.
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