How AI is Being Used to Increase Social Engineering Attacks

It is reported that according to the latest research report released by the network security company Darktrace, attackers use generative AI such as ChatGPT to increase the number of social engineering attacks by 135% by adding text descriptions, punctuation mark and sentence length.

Report: ChatGPT and other generative AI led to a 135% increase in phishing email attacks

As technology continues to advance, so too do the tactics used by cyber attackers to infiltrate systems and steal valuable data. The latest research report released by Darktrace, a network security company, has revealed that attackers are now using generative AI, such as ChatGPT, to increase the number of social engineering attacks by 135%. In this article, we will explore how AI is being used to facilitate social engineering attacks and what measures individuals and organizations can take to protect themselves.

What are Social Engineering Attacks?

Before we delve into how AI is being used to facilitate social engineering attacks, it is essential to understand what these attacks entail. Social engineering is the deceptive practice of manipulating individuals into divulging sensitive information or taking actions that can be exploited for malicious purposes. These attacks can take various forms, including phishing, baiting, pretexting, and tailgating.
Phishing emails are the most common form of social engineering attacks. Typically, the attacker creates an email designed to look like a legitimate one, often from a reputable organization, and encourages the recipient to click on a link or download malicious software. Baiting combines phishing with the promise of a reward, while pretexting involves impersonating someone to gain information.
Tailgating is the act of following someone into a secure area, and the individual leveraging the social situation to gain unauthorized access. Social engineering attacks can be deadly, with damaging outcomes like identity theft, financial loss, and malware distribution.

AI and Social Engineering Attacks

AI is revolutionizing the way attackers carry out social engineering attacks. Generative AI, such as ChatGPT, has enabled cybercriminals to craft highly convincing and personalized messages that can fool unsuspecting victims. AI-based systems can seamlessly integrate diverse resources and generate an unlimited number of potential attack vectors within seconds. Attackers can create new sets of texts, adjust sentence structures, and enhance descriptions to refine the message’s delivery.
Furthermore, AI allows attackers to take advantage of contextual information, creating messages that draw on current news events, pop culture, or topical trends that trigger people’s interests. By doing so, the likelihood of people being fooled increases exponentially, as such messages resonate more profoundly with their natural biases and decision-making processes.

How to Protect Yourself Against AI-Based Social Engineering Attacks

The use of AI-based systems is a clear indication that attackers are becoming more sophisticated and persistent. However, individuals and organizations can take proactive steps to stay ahead of these attacks. Here are some measures to consider:
1. Train employees: educate employees on basic security awareness, such as the dangers of opening unknown attachments, clicking on suspicious links, and divulging sensitive information to unknown or unauthorized sources.
2. Strengthen authentication mechanisms: In addition to a password-based authentication system, consider implementing two-factor authentication or biometric authentication systems such as fingerprint, iris, or facial recognition.
3. Regularly update software: Ensure that all software is updated with the latest security fixes and patches to reduce vulnerabilities.
4. Use email filters: Email-Filtering software can detect and quarantine emails containing malicious links or suspicious text patterns.
5. Monitor privileged users: Regularly monitor the behavior of privileged users with access to sensitive information such as admin passwords, proprietary code, and financial reports.

Conclusion

AI-based systems are increasingly playing a central role in social engineering attacks, which continue to escalate in frequency and complexity. Organizations and individuals must remain vigilant and proactive in implementing appropriate measures to protect against such attacks. The best defense against social engineering attacks is awareness and education, coupled with a robust security system and robust governance policies.

FAQs

1. Are AI-based social engineering attacks a new phenomenon?
Attacks that use AI-based methods have seen a rapid increase in recent years, indicating that attackers are leveraging the technology to scale up social engineering attacks.
2. What types of attacks fall under the social engineering umbrella?
Social engineering attacks include phishing, baiting, pretexting, and tailgating.
3. What can I do to protect myself against social engineering attacks?
Several measures can be taken to protect against social engineering attacks, including security awareness training, software updates, using email filters, and monitoring privileged users.
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