In recent months, developments in the world of artificial intelligence (AI) have grown exponentially. AI is now being used in many different areas, from helping to diagnose diseases to powering autonomous vehicles. However, one of the most concerning applications of AI is its use by criminals for fraud.
Today we take a look at generative AI and explore how it’s being used to create fake images, audio messages, and other deceptive content, and the impact this technology can have on your ability to spot scams and fraud.
What Is Generative AI?
Generative AI is a branch of artificial intelligence that can create new content, such as text, images, audio, or video, based on existing data. For example, generative AI can write realistic-looking emails, generate convincing voice messages, or create fake photos or videos of people.
Sounds cool, right? Well, not so fast. Generative AI also has a dark side: it can be used by cybercriminals to launch sophisticated and targeted attacks on unsuspecting victims.
How Does Generative AI Enable Fraud?
Phishing (fraudulent emails), smishing (scam texts), and vishing (fake phone calls) are all forms of social engineering, where attackers try to trick people into revealing sensitive information or performing actions that benefit the attackers. This includes actions like clicking on a link, downloading an attachment, or entering your login and password on a fake website.
Regardless of the method of communication, these attacks rely on the ability of the attackers to impersonate someone or some organization that the victims trust or expect.
This is where generative AI comes in handy. With generative AI, attackers can create more convincing and personalized messages that are harder to detect and resist.
For example:
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An attacker can use generative AI to write an email that mimics the style and tone of a real person or organization. The email can also include details that are relevant to the victim, such as their name, location, or recent activity that may have been lifted from social media.
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An attacker can use voice cloning software to generate a voice message that sounds like a real person – even someone you know. The voice message can also include background noise or other cues that make it seem more authentic.
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An attacker can use deepfake technology to create a photo or video of a person that looks real but is actually manipulated. The photo or video can show the person doing or saying something that they never did or said or even show them in a dangerous situation they “need your help” to get out of.
These examples aren’t hypothetical – they are already happening in the real world with ordinary people falling victim to ever more sophisticated scams leveraging this new technology and losing thousands of dollars.
How Can You Protect Yourself Against Generative AI Fraud?
Generative AI fraud isn’t easy to spot or prevent. However, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk and stay safe online:
Be skeptical of any unsolicited message that asks you for personal information, money, or action. Don’t click on links, download attachments, or call numbers that you don’t recognize or trust.
Verify the identity and authenticity of the sender or caller before responding to an email, text, or phone call. In particular, be wary of unusual requests or inconsistent details that are out of character for the person contacting you.
Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication for your online accounts to protect your personal information and stop scammers from using it against you. Don’t reuse passwords across different sites or services and consider using a password manager to store them securely.
Educate yourself about the latest trends in generative AI. Learn how it works and what it can do so you can be better prepared to spot it.
As technology continues to advance, it’s important to stay informed about the latest trends and developments. Generative AI is a perfect example of this. While it has the potential to revolutionize the way we approach various tasks, it can also be used by unscrupulous individuals for nefarious purposes. But generative AI isn’t perfect and knowing how it can be used and what to watch out for can help protect ourselves and our loved ones from fraud.
Remember to stay vigilant, stay informed, and stay safe.
