AI (Artificial Intelligence) has now emerged as a powerful tool in many fields, including cybersecurity.
While AI offers numerous benefits for enhancing security measures, it also has a dark side. It is being used to make cyber-attacks more sophisticated and dangerous. For the average person, it’s important to understand how these AI-powered threats work and how they can impact you.
More frequent attacks
AI enables cybercriminals to automate and scale their attacks like never before.
Traditional cyber-attacks often required manual effort and time-consuming processes, but AI can quickly analyse vast amounts of data to identify vulnerabilities in systems. This means that cybercriminals can launch large-scale attacks more efficiently, targeting multiple victims simultaneously and with greater precision.
Harder to spot phishing
AI can enhance the effectiveness of phishing attacks; messages designed to trick you into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card numbers.
At the simplest level, it means the days of spotting phishing messages by their bad spelling and grammar are now gone.
But it also means that attackers can now automatically craft highly personalised convincing phishing emails by analysing and using information gathered from social media profiles, business websites, and other online sources. These tailored messages are more likely to deceive recipients, increasing the chances of a successful attack.
More advanced malware
AI can be used to create more advanced malware: malicious software designed to damage or disrupt computer systems.
AI-powered malware can adapt and evolve, making it harder for traditional antivirus programs to detect them. For instance, this kind of self-learning malware could change its behaviour based on the environment it encounters, giving it greater chances of evading security measures and causing more damage and harm.
Cyber attack systems for the masses
You no longer need to have hacking skills to launch a cyber-attack. This has been the case for a while, but AI is making it simpler, cheaper, and easier than ever for anyone to be a cybercriminal.
For a handful of dollars, cybercriminals can purchase cyber-attack systems on the dark web, and launch sophisticated, large-scale attacks with minimum effort and no skill requirements on their part.
What can I do?
As AI-powered cyber-attacks evolve and develop, it is essential for both individuals and organisations to stay informed about these new threats.
Make sure your cyber security is up to scratch, and that you have robust cyber resilience plans and practices in place.
If you deal with particularly sensitive information, or if computer and information systems are mission critical to your business, consider getting a Penetration Test (aka Pen Test) done by an outside source.
Outfox provides Cyber Resilience services to small to medium businesses, including training, consultancy, and cyber assessments.