FBI has issued a warning about AI malware assaults

The generative artificial intelligence revolution has opened up new opportunities for development and tremendous improvements, but it has also introduced new concerns about security and privacy. We have recently witnessed cases of cybercrime where criminals and bad actors have used generative AI for nefarious objectives. Just this month, a guy in Thiruvananthapuram was duped out of Rs. 40,000 by a fraudster who impersonated someone the victim knew. These crimes, which now involve powerful AI malware, have become so prevalent that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the United States had to issue a public warning to raise public awareness of them.

According to PCMag, the US agency met with journalists to explain how generative AI malware is enabling criminality. "We expect these trends to increase over time as adoption and democratization of AI models continues," one official was reported as saying. While the agency did not specify any specific platforms, it did state that criminals preferred free, customized, and open-source platforms. According to the survey, private hacker-developed AI programmes have also proven popular in this segment.

How AI Malware Is Used by Cybercriminals

AI technology is being used in a variety of ways by hackers and fraudsters to carry out their harmful goals. One of the most prevalent approaches is to use AI to construct deepfakes of persons the victim may know to deceive them. The software can make phoney movies of individuals and change their voices to sound like them. Such video and audio calls are then exploited to deceive unsuspecting victims, as in the previous example.

But it gets worse. Another approach is to use AI to develop malware. These include phishing tools, spyware, ransomware, trojan infections, and other malicious software. These programmes have been around for a long time, and some are still in use. However, they require a long time to develop and perfect, and once discovered, the new one takes a while to join the market. However, with the introduction of AI, such programmes can now be created in minutes, and old programmes may be updated to become stealthier and circumvent recognition. The most dangerous is polymorphic malware, which is claimed to elude antivirus software.

How Can You Protect Yourself from This Malware?

When using the internet, be extra cautious when checking emails or clicking on links. These are the primary vectors for malware distribution.

Never open an email from an unknown sender. Similarly, do not click on an unexpected link.

Avoid storing important or financial information on your computer. If you must, use an up-to-date antivirus and store it in a password-protected folder.

To make your smartphone more secure, enable 2FA authentication.

Treat anyone who approaches you over the phone and asks you to conduct a financial transaction with scepticism. Do not proceed until you are certain after thorough verification.