When the internet was first introduced, it promised global connectivity and information sharing. But alongside its benefits came a sinister underbelly—the dark web, where cybercriminals trade stolen data and personal information like commodities.
It seemed an intractable problem for years, with hackers always one step ahead of security measures. However, artificial intelligence (AI) is changing that. AI can analyze vast amounts of data to detect threats before they strike.
Genetic Computing, developed by research and development company Teklium, may finally solve these pervasive problems. As this intelligent system becomes more sophisticated, the world could witness the end of the dark web and the data breaches that have impacted millions.
The Dark Web’s Devastating Impact
The dark web, a hidden part of the internet accessible only through specialized software, has become a breeding ground for cybercriminal activity. In 2021, a staggering 23.9 million people fell victim to identity theft, with much of their personal information ending up on the dark web. This massive data breach highlights the scale of the problem and the urgent need for more potent cybersecurity measures.
The threat is not limited to individual consumers. In the first half of 2024, Kaspersky discovered nearly 10 million records of stolen user accounts from the Middle East on the dark web. This discovery proves the global nature of the problem and the sophisticated operations of cybercriminals who target users across different regions.
Even high-profile individuals and organizations are not immune to these threats. Researchers found email addresses and passwords belonging to British, European, and French parliamentarians on the dark web, demonstrating that no one is safe from these cyber attacks. In the corporate world, approximately 543 million assets tied to Fortune 1000 employees, including 26 million plaintext passwords, were available on the dark web.
The Growing Concern Over Data Theft
Public concern about data theft has reached alarming levels, reflecting the growing awareness of the risks associated with our digital lives. A May 2023 survey by Statista revealed that around 40% of respondents in the United States worry about companies selling their personal data or falling victim to online identity theft.
This high level of concern indicates a significant erosion of trust in how personal data is handled and protected in the digital age.
The Pew Research Center found similar results, with 38% of Americans expressing serious concerns about identity theft or personal information. Interestingly, a smaller percentage, 15% of respondents, expressed concerns about law enforcement monitoring their online activities.
This disparity suggests that while people are generally more worried about cybercriminals, there is also a notable concern about privacy infringement by authorities.
Perhaps most striking is the variation in concern levels among different racial and ethnic groups. Approximately half of Hispanic, Black, or Asian adults reported being very worried about identity theft or personal information theft, compared to only a third of White adults.
These findings highlight the disproportionate impact of cybersecurity threats on different communities and underscore the need for all-encompassing solutions that address the concerns of all demographics.
The Staggering Scale of Password Theft and Data Breaches
The sheer number of stolen passwords and data breaches is staggering, revealing the massive scale of the cybersecurity challenge. As of 2022, hackers had exposed over 24 billion passwords, significantly increasing compromised credentials. This astronomical figure underscores the inadequacy of traditional password-based security measures in the face of sophisticated cyber attacks.
The problem is not static. In 2023 alone, prganizations reported 3,205 data breaches, impacting more than 353 million individuals. This marks a substantial rise from previous years, suggesting that the problem will only continue to worsen without significant changes in data security.
Moreover, over 80% of confirmed breaches are related to stolen, weak, or reused passwords. Cybercriminals exploit these weaknesses to gain unauthorized access to accounts, emphasizing the urgent need for more robust security measures beyond traditional password-based systems.
Genetic Computing: A Welcome Change in Data Protection
Enter Genetic Computing, a new technology developed by Teklium that could turn the tide against unauthorized data access. This method integrates principles from biology into the digital space, adding an attribute to data: ownership.
Much like how bodies use DNA to distinguish between our cells and intruders, Genetic Computing assigns a unique identifier to every data or file created.
The concept behind Genetic Computing is simple yet profound. Every computing device is assigned a unique and well-protected genetic code. When data or a file is created, Genetic Computing introduces a unique identifier. This genetic code is intricately linked to the device ID, memory ID, network ID, and MAC address and is further protected by a user-specific word or phrase. This multi-layered method of data protection makes unauthorized access extremely difficult.
Without the correct genetic code, the system thwarts unauthorized access attempts, rendering stolen data useless to cybercriminals. Users can pre-register an identification process to recover their protected files and data on other devices, guaranteeing security and accessibility.
The Inner Workings of Genetic Computing
Genetic Computing is the result of Teklium’s work with Metacognitive AI (Meta-AI), which led to the development of two key algorithms: Tapestry Exchange and Genetic Computing.
These algorithms mimic quantum communication operations, with Tapestry Exchange functioning similarly to quantum key distribution (QKD) to establish secure private keys over public channels without pre-shared secrets. This quantum-inspired method provides a level of security that is theoretically unbreakable using conventional computing methods.
Meta-AI enables Genetic Computing to verify user identity and enforce access limits, automatically revoking access after designated usage. In communication applications, Genetic Computing guarantees network packets self-destruct after being read, safeguarding content for designated and authorized recipients only. Any unauthorized access triggers immediate alerts to both senders and receivers.
These features provide an all-encompassing security solution beyond simple encryption, addressing the entire data lifecycle from creation to transmission and access.
The Family Concept: A New Method to Data Sharing
Initially conceived in 1996 for the F-35 jet fighter, Genetic Computing has become a sophisticated data and file access management system. It applies principles akin to quantum entanglement, controlling access rights based on categories.
Users can set sharing attributes for their files or data to “family,” “relatives,” “friends,” or “public,” with the option to keep files entirely private. This system mimics real-world relationships and trust levels, allowing users to manage their digital information in a way that feels natural and aligned with their social connections.
This family concept’s granular control allows for precise data access management, guaranteeing that sensitive information remains protected even if it falls into the wrong hands.
For example, a user could share financial documents with family members, work-related files with colleagues (set as “friends”), and public blog posts with everyone. This flexibility addresses the diverse sharing needs of users in both personal and professional contexts.
The system’s ability to identify files coming from family members, relatives, or friends using the genetic code adds an extra layer of security. Users cannot open a file or data without proper authorization, and its content remains hidden even if someone compromises or steals it.
The Bottom Line
The implementation of Genetic Computing could have far-reaching effects on cybersecurity. Making stolen data useless without the proper genetic code could significantly reduce the incentive for data theft. This could disrupt the economics of cybercrime, making many current hacking strategies unprofitable and potentially reducing the overall incidence of data breaches.
Genetic Computing could pave the way for a new, more reliable digital security method by fundamentally changing how people perceive data ownership and access. Genetic Computing and similar AI-driven technologies may hold the key to finally addressing the persistent challenges of the dark web and data breaches.
While Genetic Computing is not a cure-all that will solve all cybersecurity problems overnight, it is a welcome development in the ongoing battle against cybercrime. This technology could restore trust in digital infrastructures as it becomes more widely adopted.