14 people control the internet with special keys, for real

It might sound like a crazy conspiracy theory, but it's not, the internet is controlled by 14 people using seven keys, no joke.

Luckily, they aren't in weird hooded robes or linked to the illuminati.

They're members of an organisation called Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

What do they actually do?

ICANN's job is to assign numerical internet addresses to websites and computers, and then later to translate them into the normal web addresses that people type into their browsers. Every website has a number, which you could type into your browser instead of the URL, but words are easier to remember.

The seven physical keys are used to unlock safety deposit boxes that are all over the world, inside each box is a key card. Putting the seven smart key cards together creates a master key, which is a piece of computer code that acts as a password for the ICANN database.

This changes four times a year when the key holders get together and generate a new master key.

The security is very high, and includes the use of key codes an hand scanners for access.

Why is it so important?

If ICANN were ever hacked, the hacker would gain control of the internet and able to wreak havoc.

They would have the ability to create fake websites and make them look real, a huge risk to cybersecurity.

This is why there are 14 people that control seven keys, so that no one person will have too much control.

HT IFL Science

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