More Than 100K ChatGPT Accounts Compromised and Sold on the Darknet
A startling revelation has emerged in the dark corners of the internet. Cybersecurity researchers have stumbled upon a trove of over 100,000 compromised ChatGPT accounts, with their credentials up for sale on the darknet. The world of artificial intelligence faces a troubling twist as info-stealing malware infects countless devices, leaving users vulnerable to identity theft and targeted attacks.
Malware Infects 101,134 Devices, Fueling Rise in Stolen ChatGPT Credentials
The Singapore-based cybersecurity firm Group-IB has revealed 101,134 devices were found harboring ChatGPT credentials infected by insidious stealer malware over the past year. These compromised accounts came to light as logs of stolen information traded hands on the shadowy corners of the dark web. The 'threat intelligence' platform developed by Group-IB proved invaluable, continuously monitoring these illicit marketplaces and gathering vital dark web data.
The logs reached a disturbing peak of 26,802 in May 2023, with the Asia-Pacific region emerging as the epicenter of this cyber onslaught. Shockingly, 40.5% of the pilfered ChatGPT accounts between June 2022 and May 2023 originated from this bustling region. This disconcerting trend underscores the surging popularity of ChatGpt, a cutting-edge chatbot revolutionizing various industries.
Growing Popularity of ChatGPT Drives Surge in Compromised Accounts
Launched in November 2022, ChatGPT, developed by the Microsoft-funded artificial intelligence (AI) research laboratory, Openai has garnered immense attention and found applications across diverse fields. Organizations and professionals worldwide are turning to this AI-powered chatbot to streamline their work processes, in software development and business communications.
Notably, ChatGPT has even ventured into the crypto space. In March, Coinbase, the leading US digital asset exchange, announced its testing of ChatGPT as a token verification tool. Additionally, Elliptic, a pioneering blockchain analytics firm, is set to leverage the chatbot's capabilities to bolster its intelligence-gathering initiatives.
However, Group-IB's experts caution that the convenience of ChatGpt comes at a cost. “By default, ChatGPT stores the history of user queries and AI responses. Consequently, unauthorized access to ChatGPT accounts may expose confidential or sensitive information,” Group-IB’s experts remarked. The data can then be exploited for targeted attacks against companies and their employees, they elaborated.
The analysis of underground marketplaces conducted by the cybersecurity firm revealed that the majority of logs containing ChatGPT accounts have been breached by the Raccoon info stealer, a malicious breed of malware. This type of malware collects saved account credentials, bank card details and crypto wallet information from browsers installed on infected devices as well as data from instant messengers and emails.
As the world grapples with this sinister cyber threat, the big question is: Will the theft of ChatGpt accounts become an alarming trend soon?
Please share your thoughts and insights in the comments section below, as we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of AI security.
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