How does AI come in in social engineering.
Firstly, What’s social engineering?Social engineering is a manipulative technique used by individuals to deceive or manipulate others into divulging confidential information, performing actions, or providing access to systems or data. Here’s an example to illustrate how it works:
Example: Phishing
Attacker sends an email posing as a trusted organization, such as a bank.
The email may claim there is a problem with the recipient’s account and provide a link to a fake website that looks identical to the bank’s official site.The email may urge the recipient to click the link and log in to resolve the issue. When the recipient clicks the link and enters their credentials on the fake website, the attacker captures the login information.The attacker can then use these stolen credentials to access the victim’s real bank account.
In this example, the attacker exploits trust and urgency to manipulate the victim into taking actions that compromise their security. Social engineering techniques can also involve phone calls, in-person interactions, or other forms of communication to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information or performing actions against their best interests. It’s essential to be cautious and verify the authenticity of requests for information or actions, especially when they come from unexpected or unverified sources.
AI can be used in social engineering attacks to make them more sophisticated and convincing.
Here's how AI comes into play in social engineering:
- Phishing Attacks: AI can generate highly convincing phishing emails by analyzing the target's online behavior, preferences, and communication style. This makes it more likely that the victim will click on malicious links or provide sensitive information.
- Voice Cloning: AI can mimic voices with remarkable accuracy, making it possible to create fake phone calls or voice messages that sound like trusted individuals, such as a boss or a family member, to manipulate targets into divulging information or taking certain actions.
- Chatbots and Chat Interfaces: AI-powered chatbots can engage with targets in real-time, attempting to extract information or manipulate them into performing actions. These chatbots can adapt their responses based on the victim's reactions and previous interactions.
- Social Media Manipulation: AI can analyze vast amounts of social media data to build