The Evolution of Cybersecurity | History of the Internet Episode 5

Dave Rowley

You know, it's kind of wild to think about the internet way back in its early days. Like, no one even considered cybersecurity because, honestly, the internet wasn't really built for security, right?

Ryan Haylett

Exactly. The early days of the internet were all about openness and sharing information. What most people don’t realize is that security actually came into focus only after it was almost too late. One of the turning points, though, was the Morris Worm back in 1988. It’s often called the first major cyberattack.

Dave Rowley

The Morris Worm, let's dive into that.

Ryan Haylett

So it was a self-replicating program—or worm—that infected around ten percent of the internet at the time. Think about that—ten percent! Granted, the internet was tiny compared to today, but still, it took down networks and servers. It caused what was then a huge disruption.

Dave Rowley

Hold up. Ten percent back then feels like, what, losing half the internet today? That's massive.

Ryan Haylett

Pretty much. And what made it such a big deal was that it revealed just how vulnerable systems were. It spurred a lot of early conversations about needing actual security measures.

Dave Rowley

Okay, so it’s like nobody thought, "Hey, maybe we should lock up the front door," until the Morris Worm walked right in.

Ryan Haylett

That’s... actually a decent analogy. It also led to the creation of things like the Computer Emergency Response Team, or CERT, to manage incidents. And as the internet grew through the 1990s, we started seeing more tools being developed—things like firewalls and intrusion detection systems.

Dave Rowley

Right, and firewalls are... basically like the bouncers of the internet?

Ryan Haylett

Yeah, a good way to think of it. Firewalls inspect traffic coming in or out of a network, deciding what to allow based on predefined rules. Intrusion detection systems took it further by spotting unusual or suspicious activity, kinda like security cameras that don't just monitor but alert you.

Dave Rowley

Got it, and I’m guessing more people started paying attention to this stuff as more joined the internet, right?

Ryan Haylett

Exactly. The more people connected, the more vulnerabilities surfaced. Early digital threats really reinforced one key lesson—being proactive, not reactive, is critical in cybersecurity.

Dave Rowley

Even with all these lessons on being proactive, here comes the 2000s, and we still see huge gaps being exploited. Take, for instance, the ILOVEYOU virus—okay, I’ve got to ask, who comes up with names like that? What exactly happened with it?

Ryan Haylett

Ah, the ILOVEYOU virus. It was a computer worm that wasn’t just one of the most widespread infections—it highlighted just how easily email could be exploited. This virus relied on simple human curiosity. People would open an email thinking it had a love letter, and boom, it would overwrite files and replicate itself to everyone in their contact list. Around 10% of the world’s internet-connected computers got infected. A massive deal back then.

Dave Rowley

Wait, wait—10%? That sounds... unreal. So basically, people couldn’t resist clicking on the digital equivalent of "P.S. I love you."

Ryan Haylett

Exactly. It made it painfully clear how social engineering attacks could manipulate human behavior. Businesses ramped up their email security measures after that, implementing things like filters and policies to reduce these risks.

Dave Rowley

So that was kind of like the start of phishing attacks as we know them today, right?

Ryan Haylett

Right. And through the 2010s, attacks only became more sophisticated. Take the Yahoo breach, for instance—it compromised three billion accounts. The scale of that shook people’s trust in storing data online.

Dave Rowley

Yeah, three billion. That number still blows my mind. I mean, that’s almost everyone who had email at the time, right?

Ryan Haylett

It’s up there, yeah. And breaches like that forced companies to rethink policies around data security and encryption. But speaking of sophistication, Stuxnet from 2010 was another watershed moment.

Dave Rowley

Oh, I’ve heard of that. That’s the one targeting nuclear facilities, right?

Ryan Haylett

Right. Stuxnet introduced the world to the concept of cyber warfare. It’s believed a nation-state engineered it to sabotage Iran’s nuclear program. It wasn’t just about stealing data; it physically impacted industrial equipment—that was unprecedented.

Dave Rowley

Okay, hold on a sec. So we're not just talking about stealing your password or crashing a computer—this was straight-up controlling physical hardware?

Ryan Haylett

Exactly. It blurred the line between the digital and physical, showing the world how destructive tailored attacks could be. And that laid the groundwork for ransomware attacks like WannaCry and NotPetya in 2017, which escalated things even further.

Dave Rowley

Let’s talk about those for a second. What made WannaCry and NotPetya such a turning point?

Ryan Haylett

For starters, WannaCry was a global ransomware attack that hit systems in over 150 countries, including hospitals, transportation companies—you name it. It encrypted data and demanded payment in Bitcoin. NotPetya followed the same year, but it acted more like an actual weapon, paralyzing systems worldwide, especially in Ukraine.

Dave Rowley

So it’s like WannaCry wanted your money, but NotPetya just wanted to break stuff.

Ryan Haylett

Yep. Ransomware became a wake-up call for governments and organizations, showing just how underprepared many were for these kinds of attacks. It shifted cybersecurity priorities globally.

Dave Rowley

Building on what we’ve just covered with ransomware and its global impact, it feels like we’ve stepped into an even more complex era. Everything’s connected now, and attackers seem to be evolving faster than ever. Is that because of AI, blurring the line between what protects us and what attacks us?

Ryan Haylett

Exactly. AI is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it’s helping detect and defend against threats at an incredible speed—like spotting patterns in network traffic that humans never could. But on the flip side, attackers are using it to create hyper-targeted phishing campaigns and even bypass traditional defenses.

Dave Rowley

Wait, so the same tech that’s like, “Hey, I’m here to save the day,” is also being used to break into systems? How does that even happen?

Ryan Haylett

Well, consider something like AI-powered social engineering. Attackers can use AI to mimic voice patterns for deepfake audio, or craft phishing emails so convincing they’re nearly impossible to distinguish from the real thing. It’s getting harder for people—and systems—to tell the difference.

Dave Rowley

That’s insane. So it’s like, even being cautious isn’t enough anymore. What do businesses or—heck—regular people even do to keep up?

Ryan Haylett

That’s where cyber hygiene really comes in. Simple practices like using strong passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, and keeping software updated can go a long way. It’s not just about relying on technology—it’s about how you use it.

Dave Rowley

Okay, but let’s be honest. How many people actually follow through on those basics? Like, if I had a dollar for every time someone said, "Oh, I’ll update my software later..."

Ryan Haylett

Fair point. It’s one of those things that seems small until it’s too late. But organizations also carry a lot of responsibility here. They need to invest in protecting customer data—things like encryption, regular audits, and employee training to recognize threats.

Dave Rowley

Yeah, because let’s face it, one weak link in a company—whether it’s someone reusing their password or clicking on the wrong link—can take the whole operation down.

Ryan Haylett

Exactly. And then there’s the issue of state-sponsored attacks. We’re talking about cyber operations linked to major powers like Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. These aren’t just about stealing data—they want to disrupt economies, elections, even critical infrastructure.

Dave Rowley

Hold up. So this isn’t just hackers in a basement somewhere, this is... politics?

Ryan Haylett

Absolutely. Cyber has become another front in global geopolitics. And it’s not just governments that are targets—businesses and even individuals can get caught in the crossfire. That’s why pairing emerging technologies like AI with smart policies and preparation is vital.

Dave Rowley

Alright, so we’re looking at a battlefield where the weapons keep changing. Honestly, it’s exhausting just trying to keep up.

Ryan Haylett

That’s such a perfect analogy—the battlefield where the weapons keep changing. And looking back, the battles have come a long way too. From old-school viruses like the Morris Worm to the massive breaches and highly sophisticated attacks of the 2010s, it’s clear the digital landscape doesn’t stand still. And now, with emerging challenges like AI, we’re seeing tools that can both protect and threaten us simultaneously.

Dave Rowley

It’s honestly kinda wild how far we’ve come—both in good and bad ways. The line between defending ourselves and getting exploited is, well, thinner than ever. But hey, that’s why stuff like good cyber hygiene and organizational responsibility are, like, non-negotiable now.

Ryan Haylett

Exactly. And next time, we’re turning the clock back again—diving into the 90s and the early days of the web. We’ll explore Web 1.0, the dot-com boom, and how the internet as we know it really started taking shape. It’s going to be a fascinating rewind through time.

Dave Rowley

Yeah, you definitely don’t wanna miss that. Oh, and speaking of not missing things, if this episode’s made you think about the security of your website, your social media strategy, or even SEO, why not reach out? At Modularity Networks, we’ve got you covered. Whether it’s a tech overhaul or just a quick audit, we can help you stay ahead in the digital game. Get a quote at Modularity.us

Ryan Haylett

It’s all about being proactive, not reactive—just like cybersecurity. So head over to modularity.us to get a quote today.

Dave Rowley

And that’s all for today. Great talking as always. See you next time!