The successful cyberattacks that dominated the front pages of the specialized media have allowed this new trend to emerge discreetly. However, these are not without danger.
You may not remember, but in January 2024, a famous hacker claimed to have stolen the data of 48 million EuropCar customers. However, after investigation, the company denies the cyberattack and claims that the database is false and created by artificial intelligence tools. As recently as February 2024, a publication reporting a major data breach at the Maine Attorney General’s Office tricked the Attorney General’s Office into posting it on its website. Even more recently, Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite, was the victim of a fake data breach by a group of cybercriminals who claimed, without proof, to have stolen source code and sensitive user data.
Does that still mean nothing to you? Normal, it’s probably because you have been literally drowned out by the proven cyberattacks which very regularly make the headlines in the media, such as the most recent and resounding cyberattack on France Travail, or the one which affected French ministries. However, this type of fabricated attack sows panic and damages the reputation of companies.
Fake attacks that are easy to implement thanks to artificial intelligence
Unlike notorious and sophisticated cybercriminals who have a reputation to uphold, novice hackers and amateurs can easily resort to such hoaxes. They can manipulate social media to spread misinformation and profit from the chaos.
It doesn’t take much effort: a simple ChatGPT prompt can generate an entire database of realistic recordings. Attackers can then try to sell this fabricated information (like email addresses, passwords, credit card numbers), pretending it comes from a hacked company.
The exposed data may be fake, but these breaches can cause problems.
False data breaches can damage an organization’s security reputation, even if it is quickly debunked.
Real damage with serious consequences, particularly in businesses
Whether real or false, news of a potential cyberattack can cause panic within businesses among employees, customers and other associates. For those listed on the stock exchange, the consequences can be even more damaging, because such rumors can degrade the value of their shares, and ultimately ruin investors.
The direct financial fallout is often one of the most feared consequences after a false attack. The investigation launched is time-consuming and very intensive in terms of security personnel. So much time spent on these investigations is wasted on mitigating real and critical security threats, especially for SMBs with limited resources.
Some cybercriminals may deliberately create panic and confusion with their fake attacks for the sole purpose of distracting security experts from a different real attack they may be trying to launch. They can thus evaluate the response time and protocols put in place by an organization before actually taking action.
This information may prove valuable for future, more serious attacks. In this sense, a fake data breach could well be a test of sorts and an indicator of an upcoming cyberattack.
Source : HelpNet Security
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