Digital transformation is exponentially increasing the possible attack surface, creating new possibilities for the cyber-criminal sector. In addition to their ever-expanding arsenal of malicious software and zero-day risks, new technologies such as automated hacking, deepfakes, and weaponized AI are being contributed to their arsenal. Let's dive into the article to learn how these tools are a threat to the world today. What are the practical applications of automated hacking, and how can they influence your business? Hackers use programs like Shodan to compile a comprehensive list of internet-connected devices, including web servers, surveillance cameras, webcams, and printers.

Editor's Note: All opinion section content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by The Collegian or its editorial board. Letters to the Editor reflect the view of a member of the campus community and are submitted to the publication for approval. I am writing this essay to bring awareness and recognition to a fast-approaching topic in the field of military technology -- weaponized artificial intelligence. Weaponized AI is any military technology that operates off a computer system that makes its own decisions. Simply put, anything that automatically decides a course of action against an enemy without human control would fall under this definition. Weaponized AI is a perfect example of a sci-fi idea that has found its way into the real world and is not yet completely understood.

After reading several articles describing the methods hackers are using machine learning to infiltrate companies' critical systems, I decided to reach out to a world-renown security expert to parse the facts from the hysteria. Giovanni Vigna, Co-Founder and CTO of Lastline Security, is also a tenured Professor within UC Santa Barbara's Computer Science Department. Giovanni has been working at the highest levels of computer security for over 25 years. Giovanni, along with his Shellphish team, organized the preeminent International Capture The Flag white-hat hacker competition more than a dozen times and participated in DARPA's Cyber Grand Challenge, which saw completely autonomous systems, driven by AI, competing against each other in a cybersecurity competition, without humans involved. In addition, Giovanni has been employed by, and received grant money from, some of the most security-conscious organizations on the planet, such as the National Science Foundation, DARPA, the Office for Naval Research, Google and Intel.

Google's Pentagon contract and its involvement with the military's Project Maven has stirred controversy both outside of and within the company. Its plan to provide AI technology that can help flag drone images for human review has led to an internal petition signed by thousands of employees who oppose the decision as well as a number of resignations. Now, the New York Times reports that Google is working on a set of guidelines aimed at steering the company's decisions regarding defense and intelligence contracts. Last week, CEO Sundar Pichai told employees that the company wanted to develop principles that "stood the test of time," according to those present for his remarks, and Google told the New York Times that those guidelines would prohibit the use of AI in weaponry. How they will do that is currently unclear, but employees said they expected the principles to be announced internally within the next few weeks.

Last year, two data scientists from security firm ZeroFOX conducted an experiment to see who was better at getting Twitter users to click on malicious links, humans or an artificial intelligence. The researchers taught an AI to study the behavior of social network users, and then design and implement its own phishing bait. In tests, the artificial hacker was substantially better than its human competitors, composing and distributing more phishing tweets than humans, and with a substantially better conversion rate. The AI, named SNAP_R, sent simulated spear-phishing tweets to over 800 users at a rate of 6.75 tweets per minute, luring 275 victims. By contrast, Forbes staff writer Thomas Fox-Brewster, who participated in the experiment, was only able to pump out 1.075 tweets a minute, making just 129 attempts and luring in just 49 users.

Last year, two data scientists from security firm ZeroFOX conducted an experiment to see who was better at getting Twitter users to click on malicious links, humans or an artificial intelligence. The researchers taught an AI to study the behavior of social network users, and then design and implement its own phishing bait. In tests, the artificial hacker was substantially better than its human competitors, composing and distributing more phishing tweets than humans, and with a substantially better conversion rate. The AI, named SNAP_R, sent simulated spear-phishing tweets to over 800 users at a rate of 6.75 tweets per minute, luring 275 victims. By contrast, Forbes staff writer Thomas Fox-Brewster, who participated in the experiment, was only able to pump out 1.075 tweets a minute, making just 129 attempts and luring in just 49 users.

The World Economic Forum's "Global Risks Report 2017″ says tech firms must take responsibility for the disruption caused by their innovations. A new report by the World Economic Forum lists IoT hacking and weaponized AI among what they say will be the top security threats in 2017. The Global Risks Report 2017 surveyed business executives in the US, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, UEA and other countries across the globe. Those executives cited cyberattacks as the biggest risk facing their businesses. The report pointed out the risks involved with letting decision-making be taken over by AI applications and said both AI and robotics can be serious risks without proper regulation and governance.