What is PHP, and how did a flaw in its code lead several websites to go dark this week?

PHP is an open-source computer language that powers an estimated 70 per cent of the internet. While websites being taken offline caused alarm, that was done to implement a fix — which cybersecurity experts say show the system for remedying such issues is working.

Published 23-Oct-2026 02:23 UTC · First seen 23-Oct-2026 02:22 UTC

Sources

• CBC News · 23-Oct-2026