ends with a jolting premonition: In the next five to 10 years, a cyberattack threatening major national infrastructures—banking, transportation, telecommunications, water supplies—is all but guaranteed.
The thieves had their sights set on nearly $1 billion worth of capital, nearly all of the bank’s holdings. They were clever about it, too, executing the scheme over four days in February when both Bangladesh and China had banking holidays. An intermediary rejected some of the hackers' transfer requests, which is why the group only made off with $81 million. But it was still a seismic payday that raised major alarms for cybersecurity specialists like Glenny.
“Artificial intelligence is going to take us on to another level,” Glenny says, “not just in terms of what we can do with network systems, but what can be doneHe recommends taking a couple of precautions. Foremost, if your computer or phone prompts you to update its software, do so immediately—it could be a response to a security breach that's rendered consumer data vulnerable. Secondly, install an antivirus program. Finally, make your passwords as hard to guess as possible.