The dark side of technology: AI-powered cyber attacks demand enhanced security measures

In an increasingly technology-dependent world, cybercriminals are misusing artificial intelligence (AI) to execute sophisticated attacks, posing significant threats to both individuals and organizations, according to an expert. Recent high-profile data breach reports involving Star Health exemplify this alarming trend and highlight the urgent need to improve cybersecurity measures.

In a conversation with PTI, Sneha Katkar, head of product strategy and custody, antivirus line at cybersecurity company Quick Heal, said that the cybercrime landscape has seen a significant evolution. “Today, cybercriminals do not operate manually; they use AI to automate attacks. They use artificial intelligence to carry out these attacks. It is so sophisticated in nature that the best of the best are falling victim to it,” he said.

This automation allows them to bypass traditional security measures, making it difficult for even the most robust systems to defend against such threats, he said. Katkar said the recent Star Health leaks are stark reminders of the vulnerabilities present in digital infrastructures.

In July 2024, a dark web account claimed to have accessed and stolen the data of 375 million Airtel customers and put it up for sale. However, Bharti Airtel ruled out any data breach, calling it a “desperate” attempt to tarnish the brand image. In September 2024, insurer Star Health experienced a major breach that exposed its customers’ sensitive health information to Telegram chatbots.

No matter what type of security you have in place, even if it’s a major global one, Katkar said, a cybercriminal can design attacks that would penetrate through the security products an organization has. He further said that when such violations occur, companies can go back to their consumers and notify them that such violation has occurred. “Essentially, what I’m trying to say is that because scammers are becoming technologically savvy and super smart, consumers also need to have technology to beat this. Because awareness will always be one step behind,” he emphasized.

While awareness is crucial, it often lags behind the evolution of scammers’ tactics. As soon as consumers become aware of one type of scam, scammers innovate newer methods, he explained. This constant game of cat and mouse requires a two-pronged approach: leveraging technology along with consumer education to stay ahead of cybercriminals.

According to India’s Cyber ​​Crime Coordination Centre, the approximate amount that Indians lost to fraudsters between January and April 2024 was Rs 1,750 crore. Cybercrime has caused significant financial losses to individuals and organizations, and incidents such as phishing, ransomware and online fraud are becoming more common. With the remarkably rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), concerns have been raised about its potential to improve cyberattacks, including creating more convincing phishing emails, automating malicious activity, and developing new forms of malware.

Furthermore, in today’s digital landscape, the threat of financial fraud is just one of many concerns; Personal data and identity theft are equally pressing problems that are unfortunately on the rise. In recent news, the YouTube channels of India’s supreme court and social media content creator Ranveer Allahbadia (Beer Biceps) were hacked.

Katkar highlighted another case where a CEO fell victim to a digital arrest scam, losing Rs 7 million due to a well-crafted scam that included false legal documentation. “The complexity of these scams means that even the smartest people can be caught off guard,” he said. “The interaction between technology and awareness is vital to combat these emerging frauds,” he said.

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