Giovanni Russo According to cybersecurity experts, an alarming number of compromised ChatGPT accounts infected with info-stealing malware have been discovered across tens of thousands of devices. The illicit trade of these account details on the dark web is predominantly led by the Asia-Pacific region.
The Rising Popularity of ChatGPT Reflects in the Surge of Compromised Accounts
Over the past year, Singapore-based cybersecurity firm Group-IB has meticulously identified 101,134 devices that have fallen victim to info-stealing malware, with ChatGPT credentials being stored within them. The firm’s Threat Intelligence platform actively monitors darknet markets, storing a vast library of data from the dark web, which enabled the identification of these compromised accounts.
The month of May 2023 witnessed a record high of 26,802 compromised logs. The Asia-Pacific region notably stood out during the study period, accounting for 40.5% of the stolen accounts between June 2022 and May 2023. Experts interpreting this surge in compromised accounts suggest that it is indicative of the growing popularity of the chatbot.
ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, a Microsoft-funded AI research laboratory, was launched in November 2022 and has since found diverse applications in various fields. Group-IB emphasized that an increasing number of employees from different organizations are utilizing the chatbot to streamline their work processes, particularly in areas such as software development and business communications.
Furthermore, ChatGPT has also ventured into the cryptocurrency realm. In March, Coinbase, a leading U.S. digital asset exchange, announced its testing of the product as a token verification tool. In June, Elliptic, a blockchain analytics firm, declared its intention to employ ChatGPT in supporting intelligence gathering efforts.
“By default, ChatGPT retains the history of user interactions and AI responses. Consequently, unauthorized access to ChatGPT accounts may expose confidential or sensitive information,” cautioned Group-IB’s experts. They further elaborated that this data could be exploited for targeted attacks against companies and their employees.
In-depth analysis of underground marketplaces by the cybersecurity firm revealed that the majority of compromised logs containing ChatGPT accounts were breached by the Raccoon info stealer. This particular strain of malware harvests saved account credentials, bank card details, and cryptocurrency wallet information from infected devices’ browsers, as well as data from instant messengers and emails.
Share your thoughts on whether you anticipate the theft of ChatGPT accounts to become a prevailing trend in the near future in the comments section below.
Table Of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about info-stealing malware
What is ChatGPT and why are its accounts being compromised?
ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence chatbot developed by OpenAI. It has gained popularity in various fields, including software development and business communications. Unfortunately, its accounts are being compromised due to the presence of info-stealing malware, which targets and collects sensitive data from infected devices.
How many compromised ChatGPT accounts have been discovered?
Cybersecurity firm Group-IB has identified over 100,000 compromised ChatGPT accounts over the past year. These accounts were found within the logs of info-stealing malware traded on darknet markets.
Which region leads in the number of compromised ChatGPT accounts?
The Asia-Pacific region leads with the highest number of compromised ChatGPT accounts. Approximately 40.5% of the stolen accounts between June 2022 and May 2023 were offered for sale from this region.
What risks do compromised ChatGPT accounts pose?
Compromised ChatGPT accounts can expose confidential and sensitive information. Unauthorized access to these accounts can result in targeted attacks against companies and their employees, as the info-stealing malware collects account credentials, bank card details, and crypto wallet information from infected devices.
Is the theft of ChatGPT accounts expected to increase in the future?
While it is difficult to predict with certainty, the growing popularity of ChatGPT and the prevalence of info-stealing malware indicate a potential increase in the theft of ChatGPT accounts in the near future. It is crucial for users to prioritize data security and take necessary precautions to protect their accounts from compromise.
More about info-stealing malware
- OpenAI’s ChatGPT
- Group-IB – Cybersecurity Firm
- Darknet Markets
- Info-Stealing Malware
- Raccoon Info Stealer
- Data Breach Risks
- Cybersecurity Threats
- AI Technology
- Dark Web
