AI chatbots

A report from the Mac security firm Moonlock highlights concerns about AI-powered malware, particularly the use of tools like ChatGPT by hackers to create viruses and malicious code. There is ongoing debate among Apple users about the necessity of antivirus software, with some believing it slows down system performance while others advocate for caution. Despite the perception that Macs are largely immune to malware, there has been an increase in malware targeting Macs, including from sophisticated threat actors like North Korean hackers. The emergence of AI chatbots raises concerns that novice hackers could develop sophisticated malware. An example cited is a hacker known as 'barboris', who shared code generated by ChatGPT on a malware forum, demonstrating that individuals with minimal coding experience can use AI for malicious purposes. However, experts like Martin Zugec from Bitdefender suggest that the quality of AI-generated malware is generally low, and the current risk remains relatively low due to built-in safeguards in AI tools. More skilled hackers are likely to rely on their expertise and established resources rather than AI-generated outputs.