Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed how businesses work. Now, workers can automate trivial tasks, speed up workflows, and boost productivity. And the technology has become so accessible that you don't need any technical skills to use it.
Take ChatGPT as an example. This generative chatbot is used by countless workers to generate, gather, or analyze vast volumes of data in a split second. Ask any question, and you'll get an answer almost immediately.
Responses often include websites and sources to reassure users that they are getting factual, trusted information. Unfortunately, there is a downside to using the tool.
ChatGPT can introduce significant risks that many businesses are currently unaware of, as hackers have discovered ways to exploit its search results.
So, what kind of dangers should you be wary of? And how can users embrace the vast benefits ChatGPT offers without risk? Let's explore.
What is a malicious link? And why does ChatGPT share them?
A malicious link is designed to trick users into visiting a harmful website. These links are often cleverly disguised, making it difficult for people to recognize that an attack is happening.
Through ChatGPT, hackers can cleverly disguise harmful links within generated answers. For example, a person might ask for a specific website and think it's genuine. Upon clicking it, they could be subject to a catastrophic data breach.
Many of these malicious links mimic legitimate login addresses. A user might click on the link and enter their username and password, unknowingly giving this access to the hacker.
So, how do these links appear in responses? Investigations have found ChatGPT can be exploited via "prompt injection attacks." Hackers can implant hidden content into website coding that tricks ChatGPT as it scans for information.
For businesses, the danger is that an employee could click these links and log into sensitive work accounts. Hackers could then gain unauthorized access to company data, resulting in a data breach.
How to face the threat of malicious links?
As dangerous as malicious links might appear, there are ways to reduce risk. And proactive businesses can continue to use ChatGPT with confidence. Effective measures include:
Data breach monitoring
A huge concern for businesses is that employees may not realize they've clicked on malicious links. Their login information (and any data attached) could remain compromised indefinitely. Hackers may hold onto usernames and passwords, biding their time for a strike.
However, there is a way to identify stolen data before a crisis can escalate. Data breach monitoring provides real-time protection against imminent data breaches. Using keywords related to your business, the tool scans the dark web for compromised credentials.
Whether it's an employee or customer, the service flags at-risk accounts that have fallen prey to malicious links, allowing you to reset compromised data before a breach can occur.
Blocking malicious websites
In cybersecurity, being proactive is key. There are many ways to block malicious websites if and when you click on them. Take threat protection, for example. This service offers robust cybersecurity against various threats, including malicious links.
Internet traffic passes through transparent proxies, which filter out fraudulent websites. If a threat is identified, it will block the address and alert you to the danger. Even in ChatGPT, the service checks listed suggestions and protects you from possible prompt injection attacks.
Additionally, many threat protection providers offer ad-blocking services, which can eliminate harmful pop-ups that might redirect you to fraudulent login pages.
Learning the red flags of malicious links and websites
Education is essential for protecting yourself online. Even outside of ChatGPT, identifying a risky link can save you from cyber threats via email, SMS, and social media.
Consider the following red flags:
- Unsecured HTTP pages: When you see a shared link, check if it starts with "HTTPS." This indicates that the data being transmitted between your browser and the website is encrypted. It also signals that the website has been authenticated. In contrast, links that begin with "HTTP" are not secure and pose additional risks.
- Link shorteners: Hackers may use link shorteners to disguise URLs. This tool disguises the web address, making it difficult to know where it takes you. It's recommended that you use a URL checker to verify the authenticity of shared URL addresses.
- Poor design: Hackers often use AI to create fraudulent websites quickly. These sites may display poor grammar and spelling, along with low-quality images.
Leverage ChatGPT safely
While ChatGPT has enormous benefits to businesses, it's not without dangers. A rise in malicious links implanted into search results can put every complacent user at risk. Thankfully, data breach monitoring and threat protection tools can balance the scales.
These services offer continuous protection against many cyberattacks, including compromised credentials. With their help, businesses can still embrace AI tools like ChatGPT while avoiding associated risks.
