Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are revolutionizing the tech industry. Nowhere is this more evident than with consumer-facing tools such as Midjourney and ChatGPT, which can generate images and text based on natural language prompts in just a few seconds. They are beginning to show up in all types of products, from web search to children’s books. Unfortunately, these AI technologies are also being utilized for less-than-savory intentions, such as malware distribution.
In an advisement report by Europol, it has become evident that cybercriminals are taking advantage of the newest AI models to create more authentic-sounding and convincing phishing attacks and other cyberthreats. In addition to the advanced language-generation capabilities, these attacks have become much easier to carry out and receive positive results with little to no human effort.
It is important to note that OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, has implemented safeguards to prevent malicious use of this AI. If someone asks ChatGPT to “write malware” or a “phishing email,” it will respond with a statement regarding its ethical guidelines. However, these restrictions are becoming increasingly easy to bypass. Cybercriminals are now developing their own language models and other AI tools for malicious purposes.
The effectiveness of these AI bots cannot be understated. Not only are they able to create text and audio messages tailored to specific audiences, but they can also craft video messages that are difficult to fake. This type of social engineering is extremely effective when convincing users to share financial information, passwords, or other confidential data.
To protect yourself, it is essential to remain vigilant in today’s tech-driven world. Be wary of emails, phone calls, and texts that seem especially convincing or urgent. It is also important to ensure that your system is up to date with the latest security patches. Additionally, take advantage of any two-factor authentication options available to you.
In conclusion, AI-based language models such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT are an incredible asset to the world of technology. However, these new advancements must come with caution, as malicious actors are quickly learning how to exploit them. By being aware of the potential risks, and taking steps to protect yourself, you can ensure that you don’t become the victim of a cyberattack.
