Chinese Hackers Use DeepSeek To Scale Up Cyberattacks, Researchers Say
Researchers report that Chinese state-affiliated hackers are increasingly using open-source AI models like DeepSeek to scale up cyberattacks. These models are preferred for their high performance and lack of strict safety guardrails compared to Western alternatives.
Why it matters
Exposes the dual-use nature of AI and the growing security challenges posed by the proliferation of unconstrained large language models.
Chinese hackers are ramping up attacks after integrating DeepSeek and other open-source artificial intelligence models into their operations, highlighting attackers' ability to leverage basic AI tools to hit targets abroad.State-affiliated cyber groups more than doubled the amount of attacks they carried out since they began delegating mundane tasks to AI and using it to develop advanced malicious software, according to TeamT5, a Taiwanese research firm. Researchers said it wasn't always possible to identify the AI model they used, but in general DeepSeek's offerings are popular with hackers in the country because of its high performance and ability to be customized.Anxieties among US national security officials are mounting over the autonomous capabilities of advanced models from Anthropic PBC and OpenAI after a series of high-profile incidents in which they managed to break out of testing environments.Researchers say experienced Chinese hackers are using far less capable AI to scale up their activities…
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