Hackers Install Malware Instead of Promised AI
On Wednesday, the social media giant Meta, which is the parent company of popular platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, warned that hackers exploit the popularity and potential of generative artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT to lure people into installing malware on their devices. Guy Rosen, Meta’s chief information security officer, revealed that the company’s security analysts recently detected a wave of malicious software posing as ChatGPT or similar AI tools.
Analysis on AI by Rosen
Rosen noted that generative AI technology has been capturing people’s imagination and everyone’s excitement, and it has not gone unnoticed by cybercriminals. The company has seen “threat actors” promoting internet browser extensions that offer generative AI capabilities but contain malicious code designed to infect users’ devices.
Rosen cautioned that hackers frequently use enticing advancements as bait to deceive people into clicking on malicious links or downloading software that steals personal data, a tactic that has also been employed in crypto scams due to the high demand for digital currency.
Meta’s security team has identified and blocked over a thousand web addresses that claim to offer ChatGPT-like tools but are traps set by hackers. Although Meta has not yet seen generative AI used as more than bait by hackers, Rosen warned that the inevitability of it being used as a weapon is coming, and the company is preparing for it.
“Generative AI holds great promise and bad actors know it, so we should all be vigilant to stay safe,” Rosen said.
Meta’s security approach on AI
Meta is taking a proactive approach to online security by exploring the use of generative AI as a defense against hackers and online influence campaigns. Nathaniel Gleicher, the head of security policy at Meta, shared that they have teams dedicated to anticipating potential AI abuse and developing defenses to counter them. By leveraging AI as both a weapon and a shield, Meta aims to stay ahead of evolving cyber threats.
Generative AI is a form of machine learning that uses algorithms to create original content, such as images, videos, and text, by learning from a large amount of data. This technology has numerous potential applications, from creating virtual assistants and chatbots to generating realistic images and videos that could be used in various fields like entertainment, advertising, and medicine. However, as with any new and exciting technology, it has also attracted the attention of hackers looking to exploit its potential for malicious purposes.
One possible scenario is that hackers could use generative AI to create convincing phishing emails that appear to be from legitimate sources, making it difficult for people to spot them as fake. They could also use generative AI to create deep fake videos or audio recordings that could be used to spread disinformation and manipulate public opinion.
Ways explored by Meta to combat threats
To counter such threats, Meta is exploring ways to use generative AI to detect and counteract fake content and attacks. One approach is to develop algorithms that can identify and flag questionable content generated by AI. Meta could also use generative AI to create more realistic and convincing simulated attacks that could help train security teams to recognize and respond to real threats.
Overall, Meta’s warning about the potential misuse of generative AI is a reminder that as exciting as new technologies can be, they can also be exploited for nefarious purposes. Individuals and companies need to be aware of these risks and take steps to protect themselves. In this case, it means being cautious when installing new software or browser extensions and watching for any suspicious behavior or activity.
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