ARTIFICIAL intelligence could put everyday gadget users in serious danger.
AI has plenty of perks – but cyber-experts have warned The U.S. Sun of some of the tech’s biggest risks.
Chatbots, apps and features powered by AI promise to revolutionize the way we live, work and play.
But there are some serious cybersecurity dangers associated with the technology.
We spoke to Javvad Malik, lead security awareness advocate at KnowBe4, who revealed three key ways that ordinary tech users could be harmed by AI.
The first is “advanced phishing and social engineering”, Javvad explained.
Phishing attacks
This will enable hackers to create dangerous emails and messages to hoodwink you.
The aim is to steal your private info – or the money in your bank account – as efficiently as possible.
“AI-powered technologies can streamline and enhance phishing and social engineering attacks,” Javvad told us.
“Cybercriminals can utilise AI to generate highly convincing, personalised phishing emails or messages that are difficult to distinguish from legitimate communication.
“By employing AI, attackers can increase the effectiveness of their scams, potentially tricking users into disclosing sensitive information or installing malicious software.”
‘Smart’ hacks
AI won’t just be about trying to trick you with scam messages.
According to Javvad, criminals will also use AI to create even more powerful cyber-attacks.
This could mean your devices are more at risk of being infiltrated by cyber-attacks that can’t be stopped quickly.
“AI can empower cybercriminals to develop more sophisticated malware and exploits,” the cyber-expert told us.
“By leveraging AI algorithms, attackers can create intelligent malware that can evade traditional security measures and adapt to the victim’s environment in real-time.
“This poses a significant challenge for antivirus software and makes it harder to detect and prevent such threats.”
Total fakes
Another worrying way crooks could ruin your – or someone else’s – life is through AI fakery.
AI is now sophisticated enough to quickly create fake images, videos and voices – even with very little skin.
“Deepfake technology, which uses AI to manipulate or fabricate images, videos, or audio, introduces significant cybersecurity concerns,” Javvad warned.
“Malicious actors can use deepfakes to spread misinformation, engage in identity theft, or create convincing fake evidence.
“This can lead to reputational damage, blackmail, or fraud, as the targeted individuals or organisations may be implicated in false activities.”
