AI-assisted cybercrime a growing challenge

Author Moonshot.news

Published on: 08/08/2024

AI-assisted cybercrime has only begun. AI-assisted child sexual abuse material (CSAM) is a worrisome threat that will need close monitoring. Instances of AI-altered and completely artificial CSAM are growing challenges, not only in terms of the volume of CSAM in circulation, but also to identify the true identity of victims and offenders, according to a Europol report on key developments in cybercrime over the last year. 

“Mainstream end-to-end encryption (E2EE) communication platforms are increasingly used by offenders. The current regulatory framework for the protection of personal communications via E2EE creates digital challenges for law enforcement authorities’ lawful access to criminal communications.” 

“The use of cryptocurrencies in a number of areas of crime has become more evident. Several developments in the cryptocurrency market are set to have a significant impact on criminals’ abuse of cryptocurrencies in the near future.”

“Scammers could abuse the rise of exchange traded funds related to cryptocurrencies.”  

Europol concludes that as criminals adapt, law enforcement and legislators must also innovate to stay ahead, and seek to capitalise on new and developing technologies. 

“This in turn requires training to produce the specialised capabilities required to investigate technically challenging or complex cybercrimes, such as those involving the abuse of cryptocurrencies or the dark web.”

Key findings:

• Recent law enforcement operations have prompted ransomware groups to splinter and rebrand under different disguises.
• Continuous takedowns of forums and marketplaces on the dark web have shortened the lifecycle of criminal sites. This instability, combined with the surge of exist scams, has contributed to the fragmentation and multiplication of cyber threats. 
• Ransomware groups increasingly target small and medium-sized businesses because they have lower cyber defences;
• E-merchants and banking institutions are the preferred targets of digital skimming attacks; 
• Users continue to fall victim to phishing campaigns, business email compromise (BEC), investment and romance fraud; 
• The number of cases of online sexual extortion targeting vulnerable minors is increasing.
• Multi-layered extortion tactics are increasingly common throughout the entire spectrum of cybercrime threats, as stolen data are at risk of being published and auctioned, making re-victimisation a threat.
• Offenders appear to be underage in many cases, and some have started leveraging AI, which is already becoming a component in their toolbox.