Bots Surpass Humans in Internet Traffic as AI-Driven Attacks Surge
A new report from Thales reveals that automated bots accounted for over 53% of all web traffic in 2025, marking a significant increase from 51% the previous year. Consequently, human activity has declined to 47%, establishing automated traffic as the dominant force online. This shift is largely driven by the proliferation of AI-driven automation, with malicious bot activity comprising 40% of total web traffic. Notably, AI bot attacks have surged 12.5 times compared to the prior year. These advanced AI agents represent a emerging third category of traffic, capable of interacting with applications and APIs in ways that mimic legitimate user behavior. Security challenges are intensifying as 27% of bot attacks now target APIs directly, bypassing front-end interfaces. The financial services sector is disproportionately affected, suffering 24% of all bot attacks and 46% of account takeover incidents. While not all bots are malicious, the widespread adoption of automation strains traditional security models and lends credibility to the 'dead internet theory,' suggesting the web is increasingly shaped by machines rather than human interaction.
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Bots Surpass Humans in Internet Traffic as AI-Driven Attacks Surge
A new report from Thales reveals that automated bots accounted for over 53% of all web traffic in 2025, marking a significant increase from 51% the previous year. Consequently, human activity has declined to 47%, establishing automated traffic as the dominant force online. This shift is largely driven by the proliferation of AI-driven automation, with malicious bot activity comprising 40% of total web traffic. Notably, AI bot attacks have surged 12.5 times compared to the prior year. These advanced AI agents represent a emerging third category of traffic, capable of interacting with applications and APIs in ways that mimic legitimate user behavior. Security challenges are intensifying as 27% of bot attacks now target APIs directly, bypassing front-end interfaces. The financial services sector is disproportionately affected, suffering 24% of all bot attacks and 46% of account takeover incidents. While not all bots are malicious, the widespread adoption of automation strains traditional security models and lends credibility to the 'dead internet theory,' suggesting the web is increasingly shaped by machines rather than human interaction.
Digital Trends