Cyberattacks have been a concern since the dawn of computing and over time have only become more sophisticated and prevalent as time has passed. At the same time, artificial intelligence technology has been growing in power and capability, and while this can be a benefit in many ways, it also offers opportunities for cybercrime to advance. With the help of artificial intelligence, scammers and other cybercriminals are finding new ways to steal sensitive information and compromise online security.
If you haven’t already, it’s probably time to explore the growing threat of AI-powered attacks, what they look like, and how you can protect yourself and your business from them.
What Does An AI Cyber Attack Look Like?
Recent research has suggested that cyberattacks have gone up 8% in the latter half of 2023, which is the most significant increase in the field that’s been seen in two years. This extreme rise has been attributed to the use of artificial intelligence.
Artificial intelligence can be used by scammers and other cyber criminals in a number of ways. Generative AI models can help them to create more believable phishing messages and emails, matching the tone and style of various companies more authentically than the average person might be able to. There are also AI programs that can perform highly accurate keystroke monitoring, making the theft of sensitive information easier. Additionally, AI can make ransomware threats more impactful.
The main threat presented by the addition of AI to cyberattacks is optimization. AI programs are constantly increasing in speed and accuracy, meaning that the information they can deliver to criminals is becoming more accurate and detailed over time and the skills required of the criminal themselves are becoming less advanced. To this point, there are concerns that even those with no experience in coding could create simple malicious bots designed to steal data and spread with little human intervention if any is required at all.
AI Attacks in Cyber Security: MFA, SSO, IdP
The most pressing threat from AI attacks is the effect it might have on online identity security. Modern identification systems have to move quickly to stave off automated, optimized attacks that rely on the use of industry standards that have been in place for decades; a strong password is no longer enough to protect an online account.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) has long been the go-to solution for identity security online. This system relies on a person needing multiple pieces of evidence to prove their identity, such as multiple devices or personal knowledge. Unfortunately, AI has been able to generate device spoofs that make this MFA method ineffective, and as mentioned, AI phishing messages are more convincing than ever, making the gathering of personal information easier for security question answers.
Single sign-on (SSO) systems are also popular, allowing users to use a single set of credentials across a range of programs under the same network. This is popular with larger companies and those with significant remote work populations as it can make working with large, dispersed teams easier. That being said, AI programs that are designed to infiltrate a system given access to SSO networks can spread quickly and gather a significant amount of information before they’re noticed. Combining SSO with MFA can lessen this risk, but it’s still present.
All of this poses risks not just to individual companies and people, but to identity providers (IdPs) in general. If an AI attack is left unnoticed or unstopped long enough, it may trace its way back to the IdP and seek to breach security there in the hopes of gathering a wider net of user information. IdPs must be especially quick to identify security breaches within their clients’ networks and handle them appropriately to prevent large-scale losses.
How You Can Prevent AI Attacks
Preventing AI attacks looks a lot like preventing other kinds of cyberattacks with a few extra steps. To start with, it’s always a good idea to practice good digital security hygiene. Don’t share your passwords with anyone, log out of every account and clear cookies when you’re done working on a public network or computer, keep your devices’ antivirus programs up to date, and don’t click on links from unverified sources. Companies should also regularly perform maintenance sweeps on their systems to detect and mitigate malicious software. If any is found, that device should be isolated until the problem can be resolved.
Beyond this, it might be a good idea to test your system against AI models to find any glaring holes in security before they go live. You should also be looking specifically for security systems that are built with AI protections in mind.
Netlok’s Photolok system is one such security program. Photolok defends against AI and machine learning attacks with a unique, customizable photo-based system. Instead of having a password or just a password and the use of a secondary device, users can set their own images that they will then select from a grid of other images to verify their identity. Photolok has multi-domain support, Okta Workforce compatibility, and options for photo labeling that include one-time-use and duress images. This system might be worth integrating into your network if you want a secure layer of protection from AI and traditional cyberattacks, especially on a larger or more dispersed network.
Conclusion
AI-powered cyberattacks are becoming more prevalent and advanced. They now pose a significant risk to online identity security, especially if the systems they are up against do not have enough protections in place. While traditional security measures like MFA and SSO are no longer enough to protect against these kinds of attacks, innovative solutions like Photolok offer a more effective approach to defend against AI and machine learning attacks.
With its customizable multi-use photo-based system, Photolok is a great option for organizations looking to protect themselves from cyber threats, especially those using artificial intelligence. If you want to learn more about Photolok and how it can help secure your online identity, you can request a demo today.
