AI and elections targets for hackers. NCA take down ransomware group. Legal action against Facebook?
AI and elections targets for hackers
A report published by CrowdStrike has found that generative AI and elections are focuses for hacking in 2024.
The annual Global Threat Report has highlighted this year’s key focuses for hackers this year to help them increase cyber-attacks and their profitability.
Crowdstrike found that large language AI models like ChatGPT are likely to increase the technical skills of less skilled hackers – improving their scams and capabilities.
Reports are circulating that Open AI has banned ChatGPT accounts of state-sponsored hackers from the likes of Iran and Russia.
Crowdstrike’s report also highlights elections as a target for hackers with electronic vote counting machines and potentially increased disinformation both from AI-generated content and ‘fake news’ as seen in the last election cycle.
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National Crime Agency infiltrate ransomware group
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The NCA has spearheaded an international operation against the ransomware group Lockbit.
Reportedly the largest global ransomware group, Lockbit are believed to be based in Russia.
Ransomware is a type of malware that holds organisational data ransom and the threat of leaking
These attacks target companies, charities and public sector organisations and can infiltrate through phishing, weak network points, and unverified downloads.
The group sell their services to other criminals, the website now reads. “The site is now under control of law enforcement”.
The group allegedly was behind last year's high-profile attacks on the Royal Mail.
Last week Chainalysis reported that the number of ransomware attacks is increasing from $567m paid in 2022 to over $1 billion in 2023.
Since the NCA’s actions reportedly five Russian nationals have been charged.
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Mass legal action against Facebook gets go-ahead
A case brought by a legal academic claims that Meta abused its dominance to exploit user’s data.
The legal documents suggest that anyone with a Facebook account since February 14th 2016 could benefit from the claim.
The document says: “Facebook requires users to give up Off-Facebook Data as a condition of accessing the Facebook platform, pursuant to a “take-it-or-leave-it” offer. The Class Representative argues that these practices involve an unfair trading condition and/or impose an unfairly high price on users.”
The claim is seeking between ￡2 and ￡3 billion from Meta and will be heard at the Competition Appeal Tribunal.
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