when computers attack each other

It’s cybersecurity experts’ worst nightmare: artificial intelligence (AI), which was hoped to be the cure, has also become the source of the evil. Imagine a generative AI, able to create malware from what it learns, which ChatGPT does with texts. Already a third of the software projects hosted on the GitHub code sharing and development platform are auto-generated. Cyber ​​defense specialists were leveraging AI, and specifically machine learning (ML), aka machine learning, to detect attacks faster and more effectively in the stream of lines of code that circulating on the networks every day.

But, as always, the thieves are no less well equipped than the gendarmes. Attackers have also adopted these cutting-edge technologies. Now generative AI creates malware – malicious software – automatically, and it all attacks and defends against each other!

The nightmare is very real. “New malware is created every second by generative AI, that is to say without human intervention! »says Candid Wüest, head of threat and protection studies at Acronis, a company specializing in data backup and protection. “Add to that that the average lifespan of malware is two, three days. AI and ML algorithms have become essential for detecting them and preventing their action. » That computers attack each other, why not? The problem is that they control more and more very concrete systems and devices present in our daily lives. From the robot vacuum cleaner in the living room to the electronic lock in the garage, but also missile launchers or the global banking clearing system…

At the service of good and evil

The war in Ukraine has also brought about a new aspect of cyberattacks concerning artificial intelligence: IT is no longer an area where English reigns supreme. AI and ML allow the analysis and translation of codes, threats and messages in different languages ​​(Russian, Ukrainian but also Chinese, Korean, etc.) allowing a better understanding of what is happening in cyberspace. Here again, the tools are at the service of all forces, be they good or evil.

Read also: Article reserved for our subscribers The war in Ukraine is tipping the world into the era of cyberattacks

Many players are wondering what will happen to cyberattacks, such as cyberdefence, in metaverses, these virtual universes, and what the consequences will be. “Will we be able to stop the avatar who stole the pair of Gucci NFT shoes? [objet numérique certifié unique] of another avatar in a virtual universe?, asks Kevin Mandia, the founder of Mandiant, a specialist in detecting and responding to cyber threats. And who will? »

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