There's no denying that the AI revolution brings numerous benefits in various sectors, such as logistics, manufacturing, corporate businesses, etc.
However, the rise of artificial intelligence is also benefiting scammers and other malicious actors since AI-powered chatbots can make their campaigns more convincing.
This means that they can now easily fool more victims, allowing them to steal important information and tons of money. Because of this, spy chiefs are warning the public regarding the role of AI in creating scams.
AI Revolution Aftermath: Email Scams Getting More Convincing
GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters), the intelligence and data protection agency of the U.K., warned the public that AI is making email scams more convincing.
NCSC (National Cyber Security Center) Chief Executive Lindy Cameron said that the rise of AI tools, especially chatbots, enhances existing threats. These include ransomware attacks, scams, etc.
According to The Telegraph, NCSC said that cyber attacks are increasing in volume and having heightened impacts because cybercriminals are now using AI tools.
For example, scammers can use AI-powered chatbots to write convincingly in plain English to easily fool victims. After, all they have to do is to use these phishing emails to try and inject ransomware onto their targets' PCs.
AI chatbots can remove grammatical errors and spelling mistakes, which are among the red flags that consumers usually look for in phishing emails.
"The emergent use of AI in cyber attacks is evolutionary, not revolutionary, meaning that it enhances existing threats like ransomware but does not transform the risk landscape in the near term," explained Cameron.
What can online consumers do?
Yes, ChatGPT and other AI chatbots have guardrails that prevent malicious actors from using them in their schemes. However, cybercriminals are already discovering different methods to bypass them.
This means that the basic tips, such as checking for grammatical errors, to avoid getting fooled by email scams may no longer work. This is why the best thing you can do is to never access email messages that you are not expecting to receive or from unknown senders.
CBS News stated that it would be best for online consumers to always be skeptical, especially when the email message is too good to be true. Aside from phishing emails, hackers also use AI in other malicious campaigns.
Here are some of them and what you can do to avoid them:
- Cloned Voices of Loved Ones: To avoid them, create a safe word that all your family members know. You and your family can use this in case of emergency.
- Deepfake Videos and Photos: Instead of believing the video or the photo sent to you, call the family member shown in the footage to make sure it is them.
