Hackers have extended the use of AI technology beyond basic uses of-chat GPT to evil, virus programming. This trend illustrates the two-sides of artificial intelligence, productive for both virtuous formation, and vices. Security professionals are raising flags wondering how these tool can be used to develop advanced malware.
ChatGPT Goes Rogue How Hackers Are Using AI to Craft Dangerous Malware
A recent report from OpenAI, titled "Impact and Electronic Operations: This disturbing trend is also examined in the article titled “An Update.” The report also shows the ways in which threat actors have been using ChatGPT for creating code for hacking and planning cyberattacks, for carrying out phishing attacks, and to make their existing scripts more optimized. Were these tools created to be helpful during the programming of a program, they are now being used for the programming of crime.
The expertise of ChatGPT is not limited to writing malicious code only. The bad actors have been utilizing the AI for purposes of social engineering by creating realistic phishing emails fake user engagements. Given the fact that criminals are using NLP algorithms of the chatbots, such threats become even more challenging to detect by users.
Furthermore, the report has noted that post exploitation activities comprise ChatGPT where individuals apply it in tampering or obfuscating of the malware for fear of being easily detected by antivirus soft wares. This approach makes it easier for hackers because the cyber defense systems will be chasing shadows as malware evolves into several forms that are difficult to stop. To this end, the AI’s speed in producing numerous diverse iterations of the harm line exacerbate the challenge.
The continuing incidence of hackers resorting to the use of fake or illegitimate AI like ChatGPT only prove that the technology urgently needs more stringent rules and better protection. Since the introduction of advanced AI solutions, cybersecurity measures have to adapt to prevent from such threats. Thus, experts in information technologies are now appealing to the society to stand and fight together for development of Artificial Intelligence as a tool which should not be in the hands of hackers.
AI in the Wrong Hands How ChatGPT is Powering a New Wave of Cybercrime
As reported by Bleeping Computer, OpenAI’s latest findings reveal an unsettling trend: Currently, ChatGPT is being used in different types of cybercrimes. According to the organization records, since early of year 2024 up to this period, the organization has handled over twenty cases, related to misuse of Artificial Intelligence systems, with effects on various industries and governments of different countries. The cases illustrate how the sophisticated AI tools when in wrong hands, become a problem in the society.
Recent examples reveal that ChatGPT is being used for devising malware creation, vulnerability analysis of software applications, and phishing attacks on users. Using NLP and features of coding of the AI technology, hackers can plan and perform complicated attacks which could only previously be initiated by professionals, thus increasing their operational capacity.
The first time that an AI-assisted cyber attack was reported in the literature is from April 2024 by Proofpoint. This concerned an advanced persistent threat cyber espionage group from China famously known as Scully Spider that used PowerShell scripts developed by AI to perform their hacking. It was for the first time; the advancement of AI supported cyber threats opened a new paradigm.
The problem didn’t stop here. In September, HP Wolf Security announced another set of attacks in which hackers have used artificial intelligence software to launch a series of steps against French users. These events showed an ability to deploy AI in an evil purpose for creating fake emails to running a code.
The imageries of futuristic technologies are pervasively being used in cybercriminal activities as AI develops. The recent cases described in this article and by the Open AI and other cybersecurity companies like ProofPoint or Wolf Security prove that there is an increasing need for more robust AI-generated protection and International standards of AI regulation.
AI Under Siege How Hackers Are Exploiting ChatGPT to Target Global Organizations
Cisco Talos made a discovery in November 2023 about the Chinese threat group “SweetSpecter”, who essentially targeted Asian governments and even tried to infiltrate OpenAI employees. They sent phishing emails with links that redirected to machines containing a deadly ZIP that spread the malware. The group also used ChatGPT to determine the other weaknesses, such as exploitable versions of Log4j.
Another case was witnessed with the Iranian group known as “CyberAv3ngers” who searched for credentials for routers and industrial controllers using ChatGPT. They used the AI to develop bash and Python scripts intended to provide anonymity and show how cybercriminals are applying highly developed AI solutions to increase the effectiveness of their attacks.
To counter such emergent dangers, OpenAI has acted by the removal of profiles associated with criminality. The organisation is also informing cybersecurity partners of indicators of compromise to prevent and contain threats. These steps are taken as a part of more integrated plan to curb the misuse of this technology.
To avoid a malicious use of the model for fake audio and other purposes, OpenAI enlarges its monitoring and wants to detect such illegitimate usage as soon as possible. This is about enhancing the capability of detecting patterns that would indicate the construction of malware and or social engineering assault. OpenAI also ensures it doesn’t become a victim of cyber threats by constantly looking for threats that may be lurking around.
Such attacks emphasise that the threats of AI engagement in cyber space are getting farther and farther from simple crimes. This kind of attack is going to be frequent as more and more attacker engage with ChatGPT as well as many other AI tools which are at the availabilities of everybody and therefore, more work needs to be done to contain misuse of such technology for malicious intents.
