The internet in 2025: Bigger, more fragile than ever - and 'fundamentally rewired' by AI

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ZDNET's key takeaways

• The internet is bigger and more fragile than ever, thanks to larger attacks.
• Much of that growth is driven by bots and AI crawlers.
• Increasingly, we use smartphones and satellites to access the web.

According to Cloudflare, the internet's second-largest content delivery network (CDN), global internet traffic grew nearly 20% in 2025. You and I watching more YouTube videos is not what's driving that growth. Much of this rise comes from bots, AI crawlers, and automated attacks rather than human users. At the same time, satellite connectivity, post-quantum encryption, and mobile-heavy use have reshaped how and where people access the internet.

Also: The coming AI agent crisis: Why Okta's new security standard is a must-have for your business

Cloudflare's 2025 Radar Year in Review shows global internet ...