It is a no-brainer why there has always been some scepticism and ambiguity around the development of AI technology, including ChatGPT.
On 30 November 2022, OpenAI released ChatGPT (Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer), an accessible language model-based virtual assistant. It is free for users to mould and guide a discussion towards multiple aspects according to individual needs and preferences.
ChatGPT offers users several functions, such as desired duration, structure, style, extent of information, and language utilisation. As such, this explains why the chatbot garnered more than a million users in only five days.
The AI-powered chatbot that responds to human input employs natural language processing (NLP). This makes the writings produced by the chatbot appear so genuinely “human” that it is hard to tell that an AI wrote it.
Plus, it is built to mimic human communication and was trained on extensive datasets of interactions. Thus, chatbots for customer support, online support staff, and even mobile dating sites have included this new technology.
While it does seem like AI technology lifts an awful lot of burden on humans, it still has a “mind” of its own. ChatGPT, unfortunately, also serves as an excellent system for fraudsters and hackers.
The technology allows them to automate activities like creating viruses to infect users’ devices and crafting phishing emails. Hence, all technology users should be more vigilant by keeping an eye out for problems that could occur at any time.
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ChatGPT: A New Threat in Cybersecurity
Future cybersecurity may suffer irreversible repercussions due to the AI technology we are currently using and developing. ChatGPT might generate significantly more harmful content for practically zero cost.
When dealing with such advanced technology, pausing and reflecting before diving in headfirst is tremendously pertinent. Countless users and organisations place great faith in ChatGPT, often without considering the possibility of malware affecting their systems.
In fact, many are unaware that they are essentially taking a risk when it comes to the potential of being hacked. If you believe that being among the millions of ChatGPT users makes you immune to hacking, think again. The odds might be low, but they are never impossible.
Continue reading to learn why ChatGPT could potentially compromise your company’s data for unimaginable reasons!
Viruses and Ransomware
Online fraud is a relatively regular occurrence that frequently involves sophisticated software development. Thus, chatbots like ChatGPT often impose restrictions on malicious operations and enforce strict system policies. This is intended to stop bots from engaging in conversations related to the creation of unsafe code in the first place.
Despite these efforts, hackers still managed to transmit viruses or encrypted ransomware to company systems and consumers’ devices through chatbots. They have discovered ways to exploit AI chatbots for internet phishing schemes and other illicit activities.
Furthermore, hackers may still alter your company’s data, resulting in data loss or corrupted data. They use AI chatbots to automate breaches and boost their potency by sending harmful emails. These emails often contain malware or take part in other forms of social engineering.
Once the AI starts operating on contaminated data, it can lead to a severe cybersecurity breach that often goes unreported and unresolved. In response, companies should enhance their efforts to strengthen cybersecurity and educate their employees to be cautious of phishing attempts and social media-based frauds.
Read more: Endpoint Protection vs Antivirus: How Are They Different?
Privacy and Confidentiality Concerns
It has become increasingly feasible for chatbots and other AI programs to attain personal data from internet users all over the globe. According to ChatGPT’s Privacy Policy, the system gathers information on:
- users’ IP addresses;
- browser types and settings;
- information about user’s interactions with ChatGPT; and
- user’s browsing patterns over time and across different websites, all of which it may share “with third parties.”
The functionality of services provided by a chatbot might suffer if a user opts not to disclose such personal information. Even the most popular chatbots do not allow users to delete the private data amassed by their AI programs.
It is crucial to consider the potential ramifications of sharing sensitive information, especially when a business inputs a client’s personal information into the chatbot. Many businesses resort to this practice to receive a tailored response to an issue, which is quite common.
The automated system will now apply this knowledge to enhance its comprehension of language and context. Consequently, it will likely use personal information to answer inquiries from future users without obtaining explicit consent from the data subject.
Company’s Reputation: Disinformation
You might have been impressed by ChatGPT’s benefits after hearing about all the hype. It can help you create business plans, flirt, and compose essays.
However, it’s important to note that it could also propagate bias, inaccuracies, falsehoods, and misleading information. After all, ChatGPT and other AI virtual assistants are designed to emulate human interactions.
The information gathered from the ChatGPT system could provide scammers with enough information to impersonate your business and deceive consumers. They might tamper with leaked data sources to trick consumers into clicking unprotected links or counterfeit websites.
Failure to safeguard your customers’ data could result in accountability for your company, putting its reputation at risk. Companies must also establish robust security and authorisation protocols to prevent online counterfeiting, repurposing, and fraudulent usage of an automated chatbot.
In the unfortunate event of scammers gaining control over your company’s website, having backup storage would be the safest course of action.
Read more: Ransomware in Malaysia: Looking From A Legal Perspective
The Bottom Line
ChatGPT offers an almost limitless array of possibilities. Across every industry, technology is expected to enhance how we work, the content we generate, and the precision and quality of our writing.
Having said that, unscrupulous hackers are gradually making their threats pervasive, affecting businesses of all sizes.
Not that ChatGPT should be outlawed at all costs—the benefits of using chatbots still outweigh the risks. But, it is also important to remember that all business technologies and resources must be adequately protected, especially when handling consumers’ information.
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