The Rise of BadGPT: What is FraudGPT or WormGPT?

Published on
February 29, 2024
The release of ChatGPT to the public has resulted in a significant increase in attacks over the past 12 months

ChatGPT and other LLMs have been lauded the world over for how they simplify the workflow in virtually every industry and sector. While the majority of people are aware of the consequential risks of AI becoming super-proficient such as loss of jobs, very few are even aware of the inherent malicious risks that AI poses. For instance, the fact that there are now BadGPTs in the world is something that has flown under the radar. 

What are these BadGPTs? There are a few with the two most well known, called FraudGPT and WormGPT. Even though these badGPTs aren’t commonly known, they’re getting there with the Wall Street Journal recently publishing an article that discusses the rise of "BadGPTs" such as fraudGPTs and WormGPTs. So, what are FraudGPT and WormGPT? Let’s answer these questions.

What is FraudGPT or WormGPT?

BadGPTs like FraudGPT and WormGPT are malicious chatbots that imitate human conversation to deceive users into revealing sensitive information. The release of ChatGPT to the public has resulted in a significant increase in attacks over the past 12 months., including: 

 

  • 1,265% growth in phishing emails in the last 12 months
  • 31,000 phishing attacks sent every day
  • 83% increase in impersonating emails 
  • $25.5 million paid to attackers by a Hong Kong Multinational

 

Fortunately, there are effective methods to counter BadGPTs and other phishing attacks, such as spear phishing training and simulation. In this blog post, we will delve into how these methods can assist individuals and organizations in staying ahead of cybercriminals and protecting their sensitive information.

 

Understanding Spear Phishing

Spear phishing is a kind of phishing attack that focuses on specific individuals or groups within an organization. Unlike traditional phishing attacks, which are usually sent to a large number of recipients, spear phishing emails are designed to look legitimate and are often personalized to the recipient. This makes them harder to detect and increases the chances that the recipient will click on a harmful link or attachment.

 

The Role of Training and Simulation

To protect against spear phishing attacks, educating employees about the risks and providing them with the tools and knowledge they need to identify and avoid these threats is essential. This can be achieved through regular training and simulation exercises that simulate real-world phishing scenarios.

 

The Benefits of Training and Simulation

  • Improved awareness of phishing threats and how to avoid them
  • Increased ability to identify and report phishing attempts
  • Reduced risk of falling victim to phishing attacks and data breaches
  • Enhanced ability to respond quickly and effectively in the event of a phishing attack

To be effective, spear phishing training should:

  • Incorporate AI-driven simulation and training that replicates real-life scenarios\
  • Easily create and schedule dynamic campaigns with just a few clicks.
  • Utilize AI to quickly generate custom training content to address challenges within 24 hours.

 

Dealing with BadGPTs like FraudGPT and WormGPT

As the threat of BadGPTs such as FraudGPT, WormGPT, and other phishing attacks continues to grow, it's essential to take proactive steps to protect your organization. By investing in AI-driven spear phishing training and simulation, your employees can develop the skills and knowledge to identify and avoid these threats and safeguard sensitive information.