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Artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT have become the newest way for “hackers” to distribute malware, scams and spam, a Meta security group study warns.
A May 1 research report by Facebook parent company Meta’s security team found 10 families of malware posing as ChatGPT and similar AI tools in March, some of which were found in various browser extensions, noting:
“Since March alone, our security analysts have discovered about 10 families of malware posing as ChatGPT and similar tools for hacking online accounts.”
The meta explained that these “malicious actors” — malware operators, scammers, spammers and the like — have switched to AI because it is the “latest wave” of what captures “people’s imagination and excitement.”
The research is being done against the backdrop of a lot of interest in artificial intelligence, with ChatGPT in particular bringing a lot of attention to AI.
“For example, we have seen attackers create malicious browser extensions available from official online stores that claim to offer ChatGPT-related tools,” he added.
Metasecurity stated that some of these “malicious extensions” included operations on ChatGPT features that coexisted alongside the malware.
ChatGPT-related Malware on the Rise, Meta Says
https://t.co/eEJRVb9qkI— Slashdot (@slashdot) May 3, 2023
The firm’s security team then explained that attackers tend to go where the latest fad is, citing the digital currency hype and the scam that comes from it:
“This is not unique to the generative AI space. As an industry, we have seen this in other topics popular in their time, such as cryptocurrency scams fueled by interest in digital currency.”
“The generative AI space is rapidly evolving and attackers are aware of this,” they added, emphasizing the need to be “vigilant.”
Guy Rosen, director of security at Meta, went even further in a recent interview with Reuters, stating that “ChatGPT is the new cryptocurrency” for these attackers.
Related: OpenAI launches Bug Bounty program to combat system vulnerabilities
However, it should be noted that Meta is now engaged in its own developments in the field of generative AI.
Meta AI is currently creating various forms of AI to help improve its augmented and artificial reality technologies.
Now you can tap with your finger instead of your controllers on @MetaQuestVR — so navigating #virtualreality feels as natural as swiping through your phone.
Read more: https://t.co/50zg3u3bsx pic.twitter.com/rnzgrGxrlS
— Meta (@Meta) February 21, 2023
Despite significant investments in Metaverse, AI is currently Meta’s largest investment, according to CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
Cointelegraph has reached out to OpenAI – the ChatGPT team – for comment.
