AI Image Generator: An Emerging Cybersecurity Threat

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to change the nature of society. Although artificial intelligence tools bring us a lot of expectations, we also need to be vigilant in many aspects. For example, cybercriminals and other threat actors are weaponizing artificial intelligence, and even AI image generators are not immune to abuse.

What is an AI image generator? How do they work? If you've ever used an AI image generator, it's pretty clear what they are all about. Even if you've never used one, you've likely encountered AI-generated images on social media and elsewhere. Today's popular software works very simply: the user enters text, and artificial intelligence generates an image based on that text.

In recent years, with the development of artificial intelligence technology, most text-to-image generators adopt diffusion models, which means that they accept Long hours of "training", which is the main reason why their work is so impressive and stunningly realistic.

What makes these AI tools even more impressive is that they not only modify existing images or merge thousands of images into one, but also create new original images from scratch. The more people use these text-to-image generators, the more information they get and the better their creations become.

There are already many famous AI image generators: WOMBO, DALL-E, Stable Diffusion, Midjourney, DeepAI, Fotor and Craiyon. Tech giants - including Google - are releasing their own, so we can only speculate that more value will come in the future.

4 Ways Threat Actors Weaponize AI Image Generators

Like almost all technologies, AI image generators can be abused by malicious actors. In fact, they have been used for all sorts of nefarious purposes. But exactly what types of scams can criminals pull off with the help of AI image generators?

1. Social Engineering

One obvious thing that threat actors can do with AI image generators is to engage in social engineering; for example, creating fake social media profiles . Some of these programs can create incredibly realistic images that look like real photos of real people, and scammers can use these fake social media profiles for phishing purposes.

Unlike photos of real people, AI-generated photos cannot be discovered through reverse image searches, and cybercriminals don’t have to use a limited number of photos to deceive targets — using AI, they can generate any number of photos, Build a compelling online identity from the ground up.

However, in real life, threat actors can use AI image generators to trick people. In April 2022, Tech Talk blogger Ben Dickinson received an email from a law firm claiming that he had used an image without permission. The attorneys emailed a DMCA copyright infringement notice, telling Dickinson he needed to link back to their client or remove the image.

Dickinson searched the law firm on Google and found the official website. It all seems completely legal; the website even has photos of 18 attorneys, including their biographies and credentials. But none of this is true. The photos were all generated by artificial intelligence, and the alleged copyright infringement notice was sent by someone hoping to extort backlinks from unsuspecting bloggers.

2. Charity Scam

When devastating earthquakes hit Turkey and Syria in February 2023, millions of people around the world expressed their gratitude by donating clothes, food and money. Solidarity with victims.

Scammers are taking advantage of this, using artificial intelligence to create realistic images and solicit donations, according to a BBC report. A scammer showed off AI-generated images of ruins on TikTok Live, asking their viewers for donations. Another posted an AI-generated image of a Greek firefighter rescuing an injured child from rubble and asked his followers to donate.

One can only imagine what types of charity scams criminals will run with the help of artificial intelligence in the future, but it’s a safe bet that they will only get better at abusing the software.

3. Deepfakes and disinformation

Governments, activist groups and think tanks have long warned of the dangers of deepfake AI image generators, and that’s because nothing can Stop disinformation agents from creating false images with the help of bots and promoting it on social media.

In March 2022, a fake video depicting the Ukrainian president telling Ukrainians to surrender circulated online, according to NPR. While this is just one example, the possibilities are nearly endless, and there are countless ways threat actors can damage someone’s reputation, promote false narratives or spread fake news with the help of artificial intelligence.

4. Advertising fraud

Trend Micro researchers discovered in 2022 that scammers are using artificial intelligence-generated content to create misleading ads and promote shady products. They create images suggesting popular celebrities use certain products and run advertising campaigns based on those images.

For example, one ad for “Financial Advice Opportunities” features Tesla’s founder and CEO. Of course, Musk never endorsed the product in question, but the AI-generated footage made it look like this, presumably to lure unsuspecting viewers into clicking on the ad.

Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity: Complex Issues We Need to Solve

Looking ahead, government regulators and cybersecurity experts may have to work together to address the emerging emergence of AI-driven cybercrime threats. But how can we regulate AI and protect ordinary people without stifling innovation and limiting digital freedom? This issue will become prominent in the coming years.

Until you get an answer, do what you can to protect yourself: scrutinize anything you see online, avoid questionable websites, use security software, keep your devices up to date, and learn to use Use artificial intelligence to your advantage.

Original title: AI Image Generators: An Emerging Cybersecurity Threat

##Original author: DAMIR MUJEZINOVIC

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