Trends in the use of AI for cybercrime

11 October 2024 5 minutes Author: Cyber Witcher

Cybercrime is becoming increasingly sophisticated, and artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used to augment attacks. While AI is being used to protect systems, cybercriminals are also adapting, automating their attacks with AI to make them more effective. In this article, we will consider the current trends in the use of AI in cybercrime, examples of attacks and possible methods of protection against them.

1. AI-enhanced phishing attacks

Phishing attacks remain one of the most common types of cybercrime, and the use of AI makes them even more effective. Using artificial intelligence, attackers can collect information about users, including their social media activity and online habits, to create the most convincing and personalized phishing emails. Thanks to automated systems and advanced algorithms, these messages are increasingly difficult to distinguish from the real thing.

Example: In 2023, malicious phishing emails increased by 1.265% after the launch of tools like WormGPT. WormGPT is a dark analogue of artificial intelligence designed specifically to help cybercriminals create phishing emails and fake websites.

2. Detections by threat category

Protection: Organizations can use multi-layered security systems that include AI to detect anomalous email activity. Approaches such as SPF, DMARC, and DKIM signature verification help prevent phishing emails from being delivered to recipients.

3. Attacks using deepfake

Deepfake technology allows you to create fake audio and video that looks and sounds like the real thing. This creates new opportunities for cybercriminals, especially in the field of financial fraud. Using deepfake, attackers can fake the voices of company executives to gain access to financial resources.

Example: In 2019, in Europe, criminals used deepfake technology to fake the voice of a company director, leading to the theft of more than $35 million.

Protection: To protect against deepfake attacks, it is important to implement additional layers of verification for financial transactions, such as multi-factor authentication and cross-channel confirmation of transactions.

4. AI for managing botnets

Botnets are networks of compromised devices used for attacks such as DDoS. Artificial intelligence can increase their adaptability and make them more difficult to detect. AI-driven botnets are capable of changing their behavior depending on network conditions, making them effective and flexible tools in the hands of cybercriminals.

Example: In 2020, a botnet was discovered that used AI to avoid detection by security systems by changing its behavior in real time.

Protection: Using AI to monitor network traffic in real time can help identify unusual activity and isolate compromised devices. Key protection measures are regular updates of security systems and timely detection of anomalies.

5. Password cracking and vulnerability detection

AI is used to analyze large volumes of data to identify vulnerabilities in security systems or to guess passwords. Such algorithms can find weak points in the defense faster than a human, opening up new opportunities for attacks.

Example: There are AI algorithms that automatically scan networks and applications for vulnerabilities. In several cases, they have successfully identified weak passwords or unpatched software security holes.

Protection: Regular pentests, constant software updates and the implementation of modern protections will help reduce the risk of attacks related to vulnerabilities. Using AI to self-detect weaknesses in your systems is also an important preventative step.

Conclusion

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a key tool in cybersecurity as the number and complexity of threats continues to grow. The AI ​​market in cybersecurity is forecast to reach $46.3 billion as more companies recognize the need to automate data protection and vulnerability detection processes. The use of AI allows you to significantly speed up the processes of analyzing threats and responding to attacks, increasing the overall effectiveness of security systems.

Defending against today’s threats, which are becoming increasingly sophisticated through the use of AI, requires comprehensive approaches to cybersecurity that include both technological and human aspects. Here are some key tips:

1. Regular updating of systems and software.

Most vulnerabilities are caused by outdated software. Organizations should regularly update their systems and patch known vulnerabilities to reduce the risks of attacks that use AI to find them.

2. Multi-level protection.

The use of multi-factor authentication (MFA), comprehensive security systems and data encryption help create several barriers for attackers. AI can also help identify potential threats through network traffic analysis.

3. Staff training.

Cybercriminals often use social engineering for their attacks. Training employees to spot phishing messages, suspicious websites, and fake requests can reduce the success rate of fraudsters. It is also important to explain the methods of AI-enhanced attacks such as deepfake or phishing.

4. Implementation of AI for monitoring and detection of threats.

AI can be used to monitor activity in real-time, detect anomalous behavior and ensure a rapid response to potential threats. This is especially important for combating botnets and phishing attacks.

5. Protection against deepfake and data engineering.

Organizations should implement additional methods of verifying financial transactions, including cross-channel confirmation of transactions. Using AI to analyze video and audio will also help detect fake content.

6. Regular pentesting.

Security testing of systems will reveal potential vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by cybercriminals. This will help to correct weak points in time.

7. Use of specialized systems to combat AI attacks.

As cybercriminals use AI to enhance their attacks, so too must organizations use AI to detect and prevent them. For example, AI-powered email security systems can detect suspicious phishing attacks and prevent them from being delivered.

Organizations are using AI to detect anomalies in real-time, allowing them to quickly respond to cyber attacks and minimize the risks of data breaches. Despite companies’ continued efforts to improve security, hackers are also using AI to create more sophisticated attacks, such as phishing campaigns and botnets, which complicates the task of cyber defense.

Thus, AI becomes a powerful weapon for both defense and attack. Organizations need to constantly update their cybersecurity practices by integrating the latest AI-based solutions to stay one step ahead of cybercriminals and protect their systems from new threats.

Other related articles
News
Read more
Madonna conquers the peaks with AI
Madonna's use of artificial intelligence to create visual effects on her tour marks a new era in the use of AI in entertainment, demonstrating how innovative technology can transform the art of live performance.
469
CyberwarSocial engineering
Read more
Targeted phishing
In this article, we will tell you how targeted phishing works and how to protect yourself from targeted attacks. And, also, we will give examples of successful targeted attacks.
817
Found an error?
If you find an error, take a screenshot and send it to the bot.