Enterprises enjoyed using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its futuristic applications. Generative AI advanced rapidly, with OpenAI’s ChatGPT and DALL-E 2 gaining widespread global attention from individuals and organisations. Generative AI applications not only ease business operations but also help everyone save time and energy by completing mundane tasks on the go.
AI works on Large Language Models (LLMs), Machine Learning (ML), neural network technology, and so on. The best thing is that AI applications show immense resistance to online threats and hackers. AI research institutions and organisations like OpenAI, Microsoft, and others claim that their AI-powered solutions are safe from cyber threats.
With the rise of generative AI, security researchers have tested the vulnerabilities in advanced systems. AI worms are among the recent innovations in the AI landscape that expose AI users and corporations to a multitude of threats. This article will guide you in understanding AI malware and best practices to protect your organisations against cyber threats.
AI Worms – A Nascent Cyber Threat
AI worms refer to the type of computer malware that attacks generative AI systems, such as ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini Pro, and other AI chatbots. AI-driven chatbots are conversational assistants that answer users’ textual prompts by creating content, such as text, images, videos, and so on. AI worms offer a tough time to individuals, organisations, and cybersecurity experts.
The factor that enhances the complexity of AI malware is that it can go undetected in the system through self-replications. A hacker or malicious actor injects an AI worm into the generative AI application, which compromises the functionality of the AI tool. When a user inputs a textual prompt in the compromised AI tool, the malware writes additional texts to extract intended information.
The major effect of AI worms is on AI-driven email generators. Since emails help hackers carry out phishing and other hacking attacks, AI worms enable hackers to get systems’ data and propagate their malware to as many users as victims send emails. Therefore, they have become a nightmare for organisations and cybersecurity experts.
Best Ways to Avoid AI Worms
AI worms pose a significant threat to everyone as the number of AI users has grown exponentially in a few years. According to Search Engine Journal, generative AI applications have gained a staggering user count in just two years, reaching up to 77.8 million. Therefore, advanced cyber threats like AI worms will give AI companies and their users a tough time globally.
Like other cyber threats, organisations can fight off AI worms with several techniques. The first of its kind, Morris II is an AI malware that targets OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. It has raised concerns among users as they won’t know while Morris II would have compromised their tools. Click here to read a detailed blog post about Morris II.
It is just the start, and many more AI malware will make their way into mainstream generative AI applications. You can make a few tweaks in the way you interact with these AI tools to safeguard your data from hackers. We have enlisted five ways that will keep you safe in the AI landscape.
1. Network Segmentation
AI companies and organisations like Google, OpenAI, NVIDIA, and so on need to divide their operational network into segments. Network segmentation is an essential technique to promise a safe interaction with AI to your customers.
Since AI malware spreads rapidly in an AI system without letting the customer know, network segmentation will limit the harm. Even if an AI tool is impacted, the AI companies won’t lose major data as the lateral movement of threats will be minimal.
Related: NVIDIA’s Financial Triumph Amidst the AI Boom and Collaboration with Google
2. Robust Endpoint Security
AI companies need to implement matchless endpoint security tactics in their AI solutions to avoid cyber attacks. With an effective Intrusion Detection System (IDS), cyber threats won’t propagate rapidly in the system, keeping users safe from these threats.
Moreover, efficient endpoint security in an AI system will offer a quick fix to a compromised network. It will block the user’s access to the AI model and defeat the AI worm inside the system by disassembling its code. Afterwards, it will provide proper functionality of the AI tool to users.
3. Supervision of Users’ Prompts
AI malware targets users while they input prompts to the AI-driven chatbots. Therefore, organisations such as Google must train their workers to supervise their prompts for additional texts. If they find extra texts they haven’t typed, they must report the incident to the AI service provider to avoid cyber threats.
It will not only save them from losing their precious data but also help AI companies tackle malicious activities at an early stage. The longer it goes, the more damage it will cause to the system.
Also Read: Donald Trump Supporters Target Black Voters with Faked AI Images
4. Behavioural Analysis
AI companies and service providers must deploy a system that can check the unusual behaviour of the AI tool. Many organisations have behavioural analysis systems in place, but they need to strengthen them to avoid cyber threats.
When interacting with an AI-driven chatbot, you must look for unauthorised activity, as it will compromise the entire database and models. Morris II is an example that writes prompts on AI chatbots to get intended information out of its LLM.
5. Network Traffic Monitoring
OpenAI has robust user guidelines that restrict customers from accessing some types of data. For instance, you can’t access information about pirated software on ChatGPT due to the instilled constraints in the AI LLMs.
They must work on introducing sophisticated systems for network traffic monitoring to avoid the effects of AI malware. When the computer worm comes to an AI system, the network monitoring function will alert organisations about the unauthorised activity, helping them enhance cybersecurity.
Advanced Cybersecurity Is Key to Organisational Prosperity
@cybersecuritygirl Top 3 tips to prevent you from getting hacked 1. Have strong passwords (use a password manager) 2. Use Multifactor authentication 3. Delete inactive accounts #cybersecurity #passwordmanager #cybersecuritytips #tiptok #keepersecurity ♬ original sound – Cybersecurity Girl
Cybersecurity is crucial for the well-being of any organisation in this digitally advanced ecosystem where cyber threats frighten every individual and company. AI worms are an additional threat to enterprises and AI companies that go undetected in AI chatbots while extracting data.
Therefore, it is essential for you to implement a few safety measures to keep yourself safe from these threats. Supervising your prompts, matchless endpoint security, and so on are a few ways to fight against AI malware and enjoy responsible AI usability.