Thanks to cybercrime, do we need a new internet?

CREATED BY PRITESH GANATRA Published: 21/04/2026 @ 09:01AM #CyberCrime #CyberSecurity #OnlineSafety #DataProtection #DigitalResilience #TechPolicy

I wonder whether the rise in cybercrime means scrapping the Internet entirely or rebuilding trust with smarter design. We need accountable platforms, stronger standards and better habits. Let's make the net safer without losing its soul ...

Cybercrime is a growing threat, raising the question: do we need to rethink and rebuild the internet to combat it?

I've been asking myself whether we've let the internet drift so far that cybercrime now sets the rules. I see friends' parents fooled by slick scams, fake investment gurus promising easy wins, and deepfakes muddying the truth until we doubt our eyes.

It's tempting to hit 'delete all' and start again!

I think a better question is how we can rebuild trust through design, incentives and accountability. We can keep the good, reduce the harm, and make online safety normal rather than a specialist skill.

I don't believe people are suddenly careless; the systems are optimised to exploit human attention and emotion. When trust signals - blue ticks, follower counts, glossy adverts - can be rented or forged, even sharp minds get caught.

Good cybersecurity shouldn't ask everyone to become a cryptographer. It should minimise the need for heroics by making the safe path the easy path, and the risky path visibly inconvenient.

I'd start with proof, not vibes. Platforms should adopt built‑in provenance for media so you can see if an image, video or voice clip was captured on a device, edited, or AI‑generated, and by whom. That gives citizens a context layer to evaluate claims before they spread. Pair that with clear data protection defaults and rapid takedown of impersonation and payment fraud, and you measurably cut the oxygen to the grifters.

Payment gateways, ad networks and app stores must
stop being neutral conduits for scams!

If a platform consistently allows fraud to pay for reach, regulators should be able to levy fines proportionate to the harm and force restitution. Aligning incentives beats pleading for better behaviour. The entities profiting from the attention economy should bear the cost of cleaning their gutters.

We also need identity without mass surveillance. Verifiable credentials can prove I'm over 18, a UK resident, or the genuine owner of an account, without handing my entire passport to every website. That reduces social engineering and makes coordinated cyber attacks less trivial, while preserving privacy. The technology exists; the missing piece is consistent standards and cross‑platform adoption.

Education remains essential, but it must be practical, not preachy. Teach people to verify payment requests through 2FA, to freeze and reissue cards quickly, to use password managers and passkeys, and to check domain names before transferring money. These habits form the bedrock of digital resilience, but they only scale if the tools are simple, free and pushed by default across devices and services.

The government has a role beyond slogans!

Mandate secure‑by‑default configurations, require rapid incident reporting for large platforms, and enforce transparent risk assessments for new features that affect online safety. If a feature increases the likelihood of exploitation, ship it with guardrails or don't ship it at all. Safety should be a product requirement, not a retrospective apology.

So do we need a new internet? Maybe not a replacement, but a renovation with stricter building codes. Stronger authentication, end‑to‑end encryption with recoverable account access, content provenance, and auditable algorithms can harden the structure without erasing openness.

We should expect platforms to fund victim support and cooperate on cross‑border takedowns, because cybercrime thrives on jurisdictional gaps and delay.

We should normalise pausing before sharing, treating extraordinary claims like street magic, which is entertaining until verified. We should celebrate companies that choose friction for safety, such as cooldowns on large transfers or prominent warnings around high‑risk content. A little friction can prevent a lot of grief, and signal whose side the platform is on.

In the end, I don't want a sterilised web, just one where trust is earned and checked, and where the cost of harm is borne by those who enable it.If we align incentives, upgrade the plumbing and keep humans in the loop with clearer signals, we won't need a torch‑and‑pitchfork reboot.

We'll have an internet that shrugs off cybercrime rather than succumbing to it

Until next time ...

PRITESH GANATRA
Your technology problem solver

Share the blog love ...

Buffer Facebook Twitter Linkedin Pinterest WhatsApp #CyberCrime #CyberSecurity #OnlineSafety #DataProtection #DigitalResilience #TechPolicy

About Pritesh Ganatra ...
The word 'Technology' has too many connotations in today's world! Where do we start? Simple terms like 'IT' and 'Telecoms'? or terms that appear NOT to have an actual meaning at all!, e.g. 'Internet of Things (IoT). Technology also encompasses specialist products and services like 'Rugged' and 'Tough' android devices, Lone Worker Software, panic alarm devices, smart energy devices, low energy lighting, credit card terminal (PCI DSS) security, indoor/ outdoor Wi-Fi systems, Ultrafast Gigabit internet connectivity, access control systems, industrial IoT circuit controllers. BTS UK can consult from simple solutions to the most complex, provide some of the products through a wholesale channel, bring together a multi-disciplined 'Task Force' to deliver and implement complete Technology 'projects'. I am your technology problem solver and I look forward to helping you.

More blog posts for you to enjoy ...
		The impact of infrastructure disruption in modern conflict Conflict is no longer confined to physical battlegrounds, as critical systems such as oil facilities, gas pipelines, data centres and communication networks are now key targets. When these systems are damaged or taken offline...
		Why you should only use AI as a research tool, not the final word Use AI as a research tool to spark ideas and speed up reading. Then verify, compare sources, and keep judgment yours. It's guidance, not gospel ......
		Are you safeguarding your AI Agents against hackers? Today's AI headlines are full of excitement about autonomous AI agents. These digital assistants are rapidly evolving from chatbots into intelligent systems that can book meetings, respond to customers, update databases, anal...
		AI may be stealing headlines, but quantum security just can't be ignored Artificial Intelligence continues to dominate boardroom discussions and technology strategies, but while organisations focus on AI adoption, another significant shift is quietly gathering pace. For the telecommunications sect...
		Spending billions on AI startups: A Disturbing Trend in Valuations The madness of spending billions on AI startups raises alarm over staggering valuations and the implications for society. Many of these companies focus on trivial applications while genuinely innovative solutions remain sidel...
		Datacentres demand power and water: how will AI affect our resources? As the ascent of datacentres keeps accelerating, driven by advancements in generative AI and quantum processors, the demands for electricity and water are growing alarmingly. This surge not only strains resources, but also ha...
		The Essential Role of Two Factor Authentication in Preventing Hacking Attacks In our digital age, safeguarding personal information is crucial. Two Factor Authentication (2FA) stands out as a vital security measure, offering a robust layer of protection against hacking. By requiring an additional piece...
		Choosing the right business technology rather than blindly trusting AI Choosing the right business technology is not about chasing the latest AI promise. It is about matching mobile networks, fibre, Wi-Fi, IoT and software to the real task. In practice, a sensible technology strategy still beats...

Other bloggers you may like ...
		Refer & Earn: Helping others benefit from our daily wellbeing check-ins Posted by Steffi Lewis on https://www.yourping.uk Sometimes the best recommendations come from those we trust most. A friend mentions an app that has made life easier. A colleague shares a genuinely u ...
		Networking Skills: The Benefits Of Focus In Your Networking Posted by Jacky Sherman on https://www.jackysherman.com Once again this week, I was drawn into a debate about whether to appeal to a wide range of clients or focus on a tight target market. It's a fundament ...
		Business Coaches: Blogging is Your Ultimate Marketing Secret Posted by Steffi Lewis on https://www.sblogit.com Unlock your potential with blogging for business coaches, an invaluable tool for sharing expertise while connecting with your audience. Embrace the un ...
		Renovating your home in Milton Keynes? Come and stay with us! Posted by Emily Freeman on https://blog.shortstay-mk.co.uk Renovating your home can be loud, messy, and surprisingly draining. You can sidestep the chaos by staying somewhere local that feels settled, private, ...