Hackers are taking advantage of the interest in generative AI to install Malware

Threat actors are using the promise of generative AI like ChatGPT to deliver malware, Facebook parent Meta warned.

Threat actors are taking advantage of the huge interest in generative AI like ChatGPT to trick victims into installing malware, Meta warns. The hackers attempt to trick victims into installing malicious apps and browser extensions on their devices.

In March, security experts at Meta found multiple malware posing as ChatGPT or similar AI tools.

“Since March alone, our security analysts have found around 10 malware families posing as ChatGPT and similar tools to compromise accounts across the internet. For example, we’ve seen threat actors create malicious browser extensions available in official web stores that claim to offer ChatGPT-related tools.” reads the Meta’s Q1 2023 Security Reports. “In fact, some of these malicious extensions did include working ChatGPT functionality alongside the malware. This was likely to avoid suspicion from the stores and from users.

The company detected and blocked over 1,000 unique malicious URLs from being shared on its apps.

Meta also shared their findings with industry peers and other players in the cyber defense community.

The rapid evolution of generative AI space is attracting threat actors, for this reason, Meta recommends being vigilant on the evolution of the threat landscape.

“ChatGPT is the new crypto.” said Meta Chief Information Security Officer Guy Rosen.

Meta also revealed that its research teams are working on the adoption of generative AI to detect and block online influence campaigns.

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Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – hacking, generative AI)

Pierluigi Paganini

Pierluigi Paganini is member of the ENISA (European Union Agency for Network and Information Security) Threat Landscape Stakeholder Group and Cyber G7 Group, he is also a Security Evangelist, Security Analyst and Freelance Writer. Editor-in-Chief at "Cyber Defense Magazine", Pierluigi is a cyber security expert with over 20 years experience in the field, he is Certified Ethical Hacker at EC Council in London. The passion for writing and a strong belief that security is founded on sharing and awareness led Pierluigi to find the security blog "Security Affairs" recently named a Top National Security Resource for US. Pierluigi is a member of the "The Hacker News" team and he is a writer for some major publications in the field such as Cyber War Zone, ICTTF, Infosec Island, Infosec Institute, The Hacker News Magazine and for many other Security magazines. Author of the Books "The Deep Dark Web" and “Digital Virtual Currency and Bitcoin”.