AI-powered software like ChatGPT and Midjourney are becoming more commonplace. Hackers are taking advantage of this. Here are some AI tricks hackers like to use.
Phishing
Phishing emails usually have grammatical errors and spelling errors, but AI is changing that. AI chatbots correct the spelling errors that trip spam filters or alert users.
With more phishing emails written by bots, they can send longer messages that aren't easily detected.
AI allows hackers to craft "spear-phishing" emails.
Spear-phishing emails are phishing emails that attempt to trick a specific target into giving a password or other sensitive info.
For example, if a hacker wanted to look at someone's social media, they could put that info into ChatGPT, and it would create a super-believable tailored email based on posts, comments, certain topics, etc.
The best way to protect yourself from these types of AI tricks is to verify all senders. Open your bank accounts in a separate tab if you get a notification. If it's a legit concern, you'll get the same message when you log in.
Deep Fakes
AI voice and generator tools are taking off. Since nearly every public figure has some type of video or voice recording, it's not hard to generate super-believable content.
Scammers can access deep fake software pretty easily. For beginners, there are apps like Zao, FakeApp, and Face Swap.
And GitHub has a ton of free, open-source deep fake software available.
Plus, social media has made it easier for hackers to push deepfakes, because people pay less attention to detail. The average person will scroll and move on.
Scammers use deep fakes to pretend a politician said something controversial. Or they might use a voice replica to break into an account or trick someone into buying something.
To spot a deep fake, check for blurry or obscure features in hair, skin, or environment. The lighting will look unnatural because the algorithms use clips from different sources.
And a reverse image search is always helpful.
Data Intelligence
Data intelligence is another sneaky AI trick hackers like to use. AI-powered tools can monitor social media and other online platforms to identify people who get scammed a lot.
Or a hacker could use AI to analyze financial transactions in real time. Then they can detect patterns in a person that can be exploited.
Like with phishing and deep fakes, be careful with any links or posts you see. Don't click, use your own link.
You may want to separate your computer from business use.
Consider a second computer that you only handle your money with, and have a device for your day-to-day meme posts.
It's also a good idea to use browsers or operating systems that don't track you. Each time you log in, it's a completely new instance.
Wrapping Up
Phishing is still the number one go-to for hackers. AI is just making it easier to craft emails.
Making deep fakes have a lower entry point for scammers, but they're easy to spot. Blurry textures and bad lighting are the key points.
The longer you're online, the more data is out there to be monitored. Try not to mix all your internet access in one place; split up the traffic. And consider adding a VPN to your browser to make things more private.
New AI tools are created every day, so it's also a good idea to stay informed with the latest tech and cyber security news!
