ChatGPT – How fraudsters and criminals use artificial intelligence for fraud, misinformation and cybercrime

In the age of artificial intelligence (AI), ChatGPT has established itself as one of the most advanced technologies. While ChatGPT offers countless benefits, there are also serious concerns about its use for fraud , misinformation , and cybercrime . In this article we take a look at the various dangers and give tips on how Internet users can protect themselves and help avoid these dangers and problems.

Danger 1: Phishing and social engineering

One of the biggest dangers of ChatGPT is that fraudsters use the technology for phishing attacks and social engineering techniques. Using ChatGPT, attackers could create deceptively real-looking emails, SMS, or social media messages to obtain personal information or credentials from

Protective measures:

1. Watch out for suspicious links or attachments in emails and messages.
2. Verify the sender's identity before clicking on links or opening attachments.
3. Change your passwords regularly and use complex combinations of letters, numbers and special characters.
4. Enable two-factor authentication for important online accounts for additional security.

Danger 2: Misinformation and deepfakes

ChatGPT can also be used create misinformation and deepfakes This fake content can spread quickly across social media and influence public opinion , which can lead political unrest and social conflict We recently reported on deepfakes of Pope Francis and Donald Trump .

Protective measures:

1. Review information from various sources and be critical of everything you read online.
2. Use trusted fact-checking websites to verify the credibility of information.
3. Report suspicious content on social media and do not share information whose source or veracity is unclear.

Danger 3: Cybercrime and automated hacking tools

ChatGPT's capabilities could also be used to develop automated hacking tools and malware This could lead to cybercriminals acting more efficiently and quickly and carrying out increasingly sophisticated attacks.

Protective measures:

1. Always keep your software and operating systems up to date to close known security vulnerabilities.
2. Use antivirus programs and firewalls to protect your computer and data from attacks.
3. Back up your data regularly so that you have a backup copy to fall back on in the event of an attack or data loss.

Danger 4: Manipulation of opinions and moods

AI like ChatGPT could be used specifically manipulate opinions and sentiments They may write fake or biased articles and comments influence discussions on social media or online forums.

Protective measures:

1. Be aware of the possibility that comments and articles may be written by AI and do not take everything at face value.
2. Promote an open and healthy culture of discussion by responding respectfully and constructively to the opinions of others.
3. Participate in discussions and contribute your own well-researched viewpoints to support a balanced debate.

Danger 5: Identity theft and fake profiles

ChatGPT would allow scammers realistic fake profiles to impersonate another person . These identity thefts could result in unsuspecting victims being scammed, harassed, or victimized .

Protective measures:

1. Be careful about what personal information you share online and limit the visibility of your data to trusted contacts.
2. Check the authenticity of online profiles before accepting friend requests or sharing personal information.
3. Report suspicious profiles or activity on appropriate platforms to ensure the safety of the online community.

Danger 6: Automated spam and advertising messages

ChatGPT can be used by criminals to create personalized spam or advertising messages Such messages can unwanted content or lure fraudulent or dangerous situations

Protective measures:

1. Use spam filters and email blacklists to automatically filter out unwanted messages.
2. Only provide your email address and phone number with trusted providers or in secure environments.
3. Report spam and fraudulent messages to help platforms identify and block such content.

Conclusion: While the ongoing development of AI technologies such as ChatGPT offers numerous advantages, it also brings with it new threats of fraud, misinformation and cybercrime. By staying vigilant, taking your online security seriously, and implementing recommended protective measures, you can protect yourself and your data from such threats. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to deal responsibly with the challenges of the digital world and to actively work towards a safer online environment.

EUROPOL also warns!

Europol has warned that criminals can abuse chatbots like ChatGPT in a report published in The Hague on March 28, 2023. The police department has emphasized that this technology can be used for fraud, spreading misinformation and cybercrime. Europol experts have therefore examined the chatbot ChatGPT in more detail to identify potential opportunities for misuse.

According to the agency, ChatGPT can be used as a useful tool by criminals due to its ability to generate very realistic texts. The chatbot can imitate the writing style of specific people or groups, which could be used by criminals to deceive victims and gain their trust. Additionally, ChatGPT is capable of generating codes for various programming languages, making it a valuable tool for criminals with little technical knowledge. Therefore, to avoid abuse, it is necessary for investigators to keep pace with technological developments. The Europol report can be found at: The criminal use of ChatGPT – a cautionary tale about large language models

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The spread of fake news takes on a whole new dimension at this point. Read our article: Fake reality: How AI-generated content is changing the internet and society