ChatGPT vs Phishing: Unmasking Automated Mass Phishing Campaigns

Disclaimer: This is for educational purposes only.

Phishing scams have plagued email inboxes, text messages, and social media feeds for years, each scheme a crafty attempt to con recipients into giving up sensitive information. The classic, hastily composed phishing email with grammar mistakes and an unfamiliar link has become recognizable to many, but scammers are continuously refining their tactics. In the digital age, where email filters and spam detectors are becoming more sophisticated, phishers are upping their game by using more complex, automated methods. These mass phishing campaigns deploy automated systems to reach millions with tailored messages that can bypass traditional defenses. However, the rise of intelligent language models like ChatGPT offers a promising ally in this battle. By recognizing linguistic patterns, suspicious URLs, and unusual language cues, ChatGPT can be a powerful tool in identifying and stopping phishing attempts before they reach vulnerable recipients.

Understanding the Phishing Landscape

Phishing campaigns have evolved into an elaborate web of techniques designed to deceive, distract, and exploit. While there are many types of phishing, including spear phishing and “whaling” (targeting high-level executives), mass phishing remains one of the most prolific. These campaigns rely on volume and automation to achieve success, sending out thousands, if not millions, of messages at a time. Unlike the personalized attacks that spear phishing might entail, mass phishing casts a wide net, hoping that even a small percentage of recipients will fall for the trap.

For instance, consider an email that lands in a user’s inbox with....

Read the rest of this story with a free account.

Already have an account? Sign in

Author

Hakin9 TEAM: Hakin9 is a monthly magazine dedicated to hacking and cybersecurity. In every edition, we try to focus on different approaches to show various techniques - defensive and offensive. This knowledge will help you understand how most popular attacks are performed and how to protect your data from them. Our tutorials, case studies and online courses will prepare you for the upcoming, potential threats in the cyber security world. We collaborate with many individuals and universities and public institutions, but also with companies such as Xento Systems, CATO Networks, EY, CIPHER Intelligence LAB, redBorder, TSG, and others.