Talking in hushed tones: ChatGPT and the dark web - Digital Journal
ChatGPT, an AI-powered chatbot platform, has gained popularity in recent times due to its potential benefits in terms of automation and increasing business efficiency. However, along with these advantages come unique risks, the most concerning of which are related to security and the dark web.
Dark Web:
According to a research by NordVPN, the number of threads related to ChatGPT on dark web forums has increased significantly, indicating the possibility of exploitation of ChatGPT by hackers and potential social engineering attacks like phishing, smishing or pretexting. As the technology can generate convincing dialogues and scripts, it can be used to manipulate people into revealing confidential information or performing certain tasks, making it harder for users to detect potential cyberattacks.
Cyberattacks:
One of the biggest concerns with ChatGPT is that cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated, and poorly worded emails and grammatical errors can be easily avoided with its use. This is leading to more people with criminal tendencies using ChatGPT to conduct cybercrimes, making it easier for them to steal valuable information, bypassing traditional email filtering systems. Dark web criminals can obtain expertise on topics like “How to break ChatGPT,” “ChatGPT jailbreak 2.0,” “ChatGPT – progression of malware,” and “ChatGPT as a phishing tool,” putting users at risk of cyberattacks.
Data Breaches:
A major concern for ChatGPT users is data breaches. In March 2023, ChatGPT experienced a data breach which exposed users’ personal information, including chat logs and credit card details. This event highlights the danger of using the platform, especially when it comes to privacy. Any kind of information added to the chatbot may be at risk of being leaked, particularly when ChatGPT or other AI-powered tools are used for marketing purposes or writing emails.
Prevention:
It is important for individuals and businesses that use ChatGPT to follow some fundamental principles to protect themselves and their data from such cyber-attacks. The first step is to educate employees by conducting regular cybersecurity training to ensure that everyone in the organization is aware of cyber threats and how to handle them. Secondly, a business resilience plan must be in place, which should be updated regularly and rigorously to keep up with the latest cybersecurity threats. Finally, cybersecurity experts suggest that organizations explore alternative technologies like a software-defined perimeter (SDP), which can prevent cyberattacks by removing network access for unauthorized users.
In conclusion, while ChatGPT provides a useful technology, it is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with it. As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, it is imperative that individuals and businesses take preventative measures to protect themselves and their data from falling victim to cybercrime on the dark web.
