OpenAI blocks state-sponsored hackers from using ChatGPT

OpenAI blocks state-sponsored hackers from using ChatGPT

February 15, 2024 at 11:05AM

OpenAI removed state-sponsored threat groups’ accounts from Iran, North Korea, China, and Russia, misusing its ChatGPT chatbot for malicious purposes. Microsoft provided key information, and the threat groups exploited ChatGPT for a variety of activities including research, social engineering, and intelligence gathering. OpenAI and Microsoft aim to monitor and disrupt these actors’ activities.

Key takeaways from the meeting notes:

1. OpenAI removed accounts from state-sponsored threat groups in Iran, North Korea, China, and Russia that were misusing its ChatGPT AI chatbot.

2. The action was taken after receiving key information from Microsoft’s Threat Intelligence team.

3. Microsoft provided more details on the advanced threat actors’ use of ChatGPT, including specific activities of different threat groups.

4. The threat groups utilized ChatGPT for various purposes such as military operations research, optimizing cyber operations, social engineering, error troubleshooting, tooling development, reconnaissance, and information gathering.

5. The observed cases did not involve the direct development of malware but instead focused on tasks like requesting evasion tips, scripting, and technical operations optimization.

6. OpenAI and Microsoft’s findings revealed an increase in APT attack segments like phishing/social engineering, but the rest was exploratory.

7. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) predicted that by 2025, advanced persistent threats (APTs) will benefit from AI tools across the board, especially in developing evasive custom malware.

8. OpenAI will continue to monitor and disrupt state-backed hackers using specialized monitoring tech, information from industry partners, and dedicated teams to identify suspicious usage patterns.

9. OpenAI aims to use lessons learned from the abuse by threat actors to inform its iterative approach to safety and continuously evolve its safeguards.

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