FBI Alert: Malicious Use of AI in Cyberattacks

The rise of generative artificial intelligence has opened up new possibilities for growth and advancement, but it has also brought about new concerns regarding security and privacy. In recent times, there have been instances of cybercrimes where criminals and malicious individuals have exploited generative AI for their own nefarious purposes. Just last month, a man in Thiruvananthapuram fell victim to a scam and lost Rs. 40,000 after the scammer used deepfakes to impersonate someone known to the victim. These crimes, now utilizing advanced AI malware, have become so prevalent that even the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the USA felt compelled to issue a warning to the public in order to raise awareness about such criminal activities.

According to a PCMag report, the US agency held a meeting with journalists to discuss how generative AI malware is fueling cybercrime. We expect over time, as AI models continue to be deployed and democratized, these trends will grow,” one official said. While the agency did not name any specific platform, it emphasized that criminals were leaning toward free, customizable and open-source platforms. According to the report, private AI programs developed by hackers are have also become popular in this niche.

How cybercriminals use AI malware

Hackers and fraudsters use artificial intelligence technology in different ways to carry out their malicious plans. One of the most popular methods is to use artificial intelligence to create stunning fakes of people the victim may know and trick them. The software can create fake videos of people and change the voice to resemble them. Such video and audio calls are then used to trick unsuspecting victims, as in the case mentioned above.

But things get worse. Another way is to use artificial intelligence to create malware. These can be phishing tools, spyware, ransomware, Trojans, and more. These programs have been around for a long time, and some are still going. However, they take a lot of time to create and perfect, and once caught, it takes a while for a new one to hit the market. But with artificial intelligence, creating such programs takes minutes, and existing programs can also be enhanced to become more stealthy and able to bypass detection. The worst of these is polymorphic malware, which is said to even evade antivirus programs.

How can you protect yourself?

1. Be very careful when using the Internet, especially when checking emails or clicking on links. These are the main sources of malware spread.

2. Never open an email from someone you don’t recognize. Also, don’t click on a link that you don’t know.

3. Do not store sensitive information or financial information on your computer. If necessary, make sure you keep your anti-virus software up-to-date and store them behind a password-protected folder.

4. Enable 2FA authentication on your smartphone to keep it safe.

5. If someone asks you to complete a financial transaction, treat them with suspicion. Do not proceed until you are 100% sure after a proper, thorough inspection.