The Rise of AI-Generated Phishing: Inside the Tactics, Risks, and Countermeasures for ChatGPT and BERT-Enabled Email Attacks

As technology advances, so do the tactics of cybercriminals. A recent development is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in phishing attacks, which are designed to trick people into releasing sensitive information or downloading malware. Researchers have uncovered a new phishing email campaign that employs AI-powered language models, specifically ChatGPT and Google BERT, to create sophisticated email attacks.

The Rise of AI-Based Phishing Attacks

Threat actors have increasingly been relying on AI since November 2022. AI-based phishing is particularly worrisome because malicious actors can use machine learning models to create convincing scams that can be difficult to identify. They can imitate the writing styles of real people, leading targets to believe that they are receiving legitimate emails.

New phishing email campaign using ChatGPT and Google BARD

The new phishing campaign that researchers discovered is an example of an AI-based phishing attack that uses language models to generate convincing emails. ChatGPT and Google Bard are popular AI language models for text generation. These language models are fed with prior text inputs and use them to predict and generate new content based on the provided prompts.

AI-based security platforms like Trustify

As AI-based phishing attacks become more prevalent, organizations need to remain vigilant and take proactive steps to protect themselves. AI-based email security platforms such as Trustif are essential in fighting against such attacks. Trustif integrates AI, natural language processing (NLP), and machine learning technologies to identify and block malicious emails from entering an organization’s network.

The significance of phishing emails as a threat to organizations

Phishing attacks are an ongoing issue for organizations of all sizes as they often serve as an entry point for more serious security breaches. According to the FBI, phishing scams accumulated costs of over $4.2 billion between 2013 and 2020. Notably, phishing emails are often the initial point of attack before a more serious data breach occurs.

Case Study: Impersonation of Facebook in a Phishing Email

In one of the phishing emails discovered by researchers, the threat actor impersonated Facebook to gain access to a target’s login credentials. The email appeared to be legitimate, using the same logos, font, and layout as Facebook’s official email communications. Upon analysis, however, the researchers discovered that the email consisted of AI-generated text.

The discovery of AI-generated text in phishing emails raises safety concerns

The AI-generated text in phishing emails complicates security efforts as it can be challenging to discern between AI-generated and human-written emails. The use of chatbots or robotic voices for impersonation further complicates matters since AI-powered voices sound increasingly human-like.

The use of platforms like ChatGPT in generating convincing phishing emails and malware is concerning

Malicious actors can use language models like ChatGPT and Google Bard to generate convincing phishing emails that are difficult to distinguish from legitimate emails. AI-generated text can also be used for other kinds of cyberattacks, such as creating dangerous malware designed to infiltrate an organization’s network.

The emergence of vendor fraud through false invoices

Vendor fraud is another kind of cybercrime that has emerged, involving the creation of fraudulent invoices. Malicious actors use these invoices to trick companies into transferring funds or paying for fake products or services.

As sound technology continues to advance, cybercrime is also evolving and becoming much more sophisticated. As demonstrated by the new phishing email campaign that researchers uncovered, AI-based phishing attacks pose a significant threat to organizations. It’s crucial that organizations remain vigilant and take proactive measures to protect themselves. By investing in AI and machine learning-based security solutions, they can stay one step ahead of malicious actors and protect their sensitive data from harm.

Explore more

AI Revolutionizes Corporate Finance: Enhancing CFO Strategies

Imagine a finance department where decisions are made with unprecedented speed and accuracy, and predictions of market trends are made almost effortlessly. In today’s rapidly changing business landscape, CFOs are facing immense pressure to keep up. These leaders wonder: Can Artificial Intelligence be the game-changer they’ve been waiting for in corporate finance? The unexpected truth is that AI integration is

AI Revolutionizes Risk Management in Financial Trading

In an era characterized by rapid change and volatility, artificial intelligence (AI) emerges as a pivotal tool for redefining risk management practices in financial markets. Financial institutions increasingly turn to AI for its advanced analytical capabilities, offering more precise and effective risk mitigation. This analysis delves into key trends, evaluates current market patterns, and projects the transformative journey AI is

Is AI Transforming or Enhancing Financial Sector Jobs?

Artificial intelligence stands at the forefront of technological innovation, shaping industries far and wide, and the financial sector is no exception to this transformative wave. As AI integrates into finance, it isn’t merely automating tasks or replacing jobs but is reshaping the very structure and nature of work. From asset allocation to compliance, AI’s influence stretches across the industry’s diverse

RPA’s Resilience: Evolving in Automation’s Complex Ecosystem

Ever heard the assertion that certain technologies are on the brink of extinction, only for them to persist against all odds? In the rapidly shifting tech landscape, Robotic Process Automation (RPA) has continually faced similar scrutiny, predicted to be overtaken by shinier, more advanced systems. Yet, here we are, with RPA not just surviving but thriving, cementing its role within

How Is RPA Transforming Business Automation?

In today’s fast-paced business environment, automation has become a pivotal strategy for companies striving for efficiency and innovation. Robotic Process Automation (RPA) has emerged as a key player in this automation revolution, transforming the way businesses operate. RPA’s capability to mimic human actions while interacting with digital systems has positioned it at the forefront of technological advancement. By enabling companies