AI POWERED CYBER THREATS: A DEEP DIVE INTO THE DARK WEB

 AI POWERED CYBER THREATS: A DEEP DIVE INTO THE DARK WEB

  Author- Suhavi Kaur a Student of   University Institute Of Legal Studies (UILS)

                                                                                                                                                       In today's digital age, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into various aspects of our lives has undoubtedly brought unprecedented convenience and efficiency. However, it has also opened the door to new and sophisticated forms of cybercrime. This article delves into the intricate intersection of cybercrime and AI.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping our world, serving as a dynamic force that transcends the boundaries of computer science, while offering the promise of heightened efficiency, automation, and autonomy. Remarkable advancements in AI, exemplified by large language models (LLMs) like OpenAI's ChatGPT, Microsoft's Bing Chat, and Google's Bard AI, continue to astound us with their unique language-processing capabilities. Meanwhile, other generative AI applications such as Midjourney, Dall-E, and Stable Diffusion have captivated us by conjuring breathtaking artwork from mere sentence-length prompts.

The relentless progression of these AI projects is an incredible testament to human innovation and the democratization of cutting-edge technology. However, this widespread accessibility also presents a dual-edged sword, potentially endangering a multitude of individuals and organizations.

In 2020, a staggering 37% of businesses and organizations had already incorporated AI in some form within their systems and processes. These AI-powered tools empower enterprises to make more accurate predictions about customer behaviour, leading to increased revenues. Notable giants like Amazon, leveraging machine learning (ML) and AI, have amassed astronomical valuations, reaching the trillion-dollar milestone in 2018.

While AI undoubtedly bolsters businesses, critical infrastructures, and entire industries, these very technologies can also facilitate a wide spectrum of digital, physical, and political threats. Let's explore some of the more concerning aspects.

AI Misuses and Abuses:

1. Deepfakes: Among the most notorious misuses of AI are deepfakes, which involve AI techniques to fabricate or manipulate audio and visual content, rendering them seemingly authentic. These deceptions can spread rapidly through the internet and social media, potentially influencing millions worldwide. In 2019, a fabricated video allegedly depicted a Malaysian political aide engaging in a sexual encounter with a cabinet minister and accused the minister of corruption, leading to political instability within the coalition government. Another case involved a UK energy company tricked into transferring around £200,000 (approximately $260,000) to a Hungarian bank account when an imposter used deepfake audio to mimic the CEO's voice for fraudulent payment authorization.

 2. AI-Supported Password Guessing: Cybercriminals are harnessing machine learning to enhance their algorithms for password guessing. Traditional methods like HashCat and John the Ripper are already in use, but with neural networks and Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), attackers can analyze extensive password datasets and generate variations that align with statistical distributions. A GitHub repository from February 2020 featured a password analysis tool capable of parsing through 1.4 billion credentials and generating password variation rules.

3. Human Impersonation on Social Networking Platforms: AI aids cybercriminals in mimicking human behavior to evade bot detection systems on platforms like Spotify. These impersonations can be monetized by generating fraudulent streams and traffic for specific artists. One example includes an AI-supported Spotify bot on a forum called nulled[.]to, boasting the ability to mimic multiple Spotify users concurrently while utilizing proxies and playlists that mimic human musical tastes.

4. AI-Supported Hacking: Beyond password cracking, cybercriminals employ AI to automate and enhance various hacking activities, including vulnerability scanning, intelligent system weaknesses detection, adaptive malware development, and more.

5. Supply Chain Attacks: AI can be weaponized to compromise the software or hardware supply chain of organizations, infiltrating legitimate products or services with malicious code or components.

6. Intellectual Property Theft: AI facilitates the automation of targeting businesses to steal valuable intellectual property. Algorithms can sift through vast amounts of data, identifying high-value trade secrets or sensitive information for theft.

7. Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs): APTs employ sophisticated tactics to breach business networks, remain undetected, and exfiltrate sensitive information over an extended period. AI algorithms empower attackers to adapt their strategies, elude security measures, and exploit vulnerabilities within business systems.

8. AI-Powered Phishing Attacks: Cybercriminals are increasingly using AI to enhance phishing attacks. AI algorithms can craft highly personalized and convincing phishing emails, making it more challenging for individuals to discern legitimate communication from fraudulent ones.

9. International Cooperation: Given the global nature of cyber threats, international cooperation and information sharing are becoming increasingly critical in combating AI-driven cybercrime. Nations and organizations are collaborating to develop common frameworks for addressing these challenges.

10. Legal Frameworks: Governments are working to establish legal frameworks and regulations that address the use of AI in cybercrime. These regulations aim to hold cybercriminals accountable for their actions and provide a legal basis for prosecuting AI-related cybercrimes

Conclusion:

 The symbiotic relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and cybercrime is evolving at a pace that demands our utmost attention and proactive measures. While AI continues to empower us with unprecedented advancements and efficiencies, it simultaneously grants malicious actors new tools and strategies to exploit vulnerabilities in our digital world. As we move forward, the safeguarding of our digital ecosystem necessitates a balanced approach—one that harnesses the power of AI for protection while remaining vigilant against its potential for harm.

In this dynamic era of AI and cybercrime, our collective responsibility is to ensure that the transformative potential of artificial intelligence is harnessed for the greater good, rather than exploited for nefarious purposes. Only through vigilance, collaboration, and the conscientious application of technology can we truly secure our digital future.