News

Hackers Are Using ChatGPT As A Learning Tool For Malware

Hackers and cybercriminals are experimenting with the popular AI chat tool to lend a helping hand in their criminal activities.

Published

3 years ago

January 17, 2023

Nour Nasir

hackers are using chatgpt as a learning tool for malware

OpenAI’s ChatGPT tool has become something of a viral sensation over recent months, with the ability to mimic human responses and even write entire essays for students.

However, ChatGPT’s powers — like many emerging technologies — can be put to work for more nefarious activities, and we’re now beginning to see hackers jump on the AI bandwagon to help them steal personal information more effectively.

Check Point Research, a leading cyber threat intelligence agency, has discovered that Russian fraudsters are experimenting with OpenAI’s ChatGPT for malicious purposes. Hackers have been seen on underground forums discussing how to get around IP address restrictions, credit cards, and phone numbers in order to use the AI tool.

“Right now, Russian hackers are actively discussing and researching how to bypass the geofencing to utilize ChatGPT for their harmful intentions. We think these hackers are most likely attempting to incorporate and test ChatGPT into their daily illegal activities,” says Check Point’s Threat Intelligence Group Manager, Sergey Shykevich.

Unfortunately, ChatGPT is such a potent and flexible tool that it can significantly reduce hacking expenses, as well as writing convincing human conversations and false information. More worryingly, the AI can even suggest usable programming scripts, enabling scammers with zero coding experience to create harmful malware.

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Cybercrime experts haven’t yet decided whether or not ChatGPT will become a new favorite tool for dark web criminals, but it’s clear that the technology is gaining momentum. Across the MENA region, there have been multiple instances of scammers using WhatsApp and other messengers to steal user’s money, but ChatGPT could help criminals go one stage further by creating convincing conversations complete with accurate grammar.

As more free-to-use AI tools appear on the internet, hackers will find increasing opportunities to create sophisticated and legitimate-appearing phishing campaigns, making it more important than ever for the public to carefully audit their online security.

News

Lebanon Ministers Meet Visa Over National Digital Payment Platform

Finance and technology ministers say a comparative study and roadmap will follow before any decision on adopting a model.

Published

20 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Joanna Melki

lebanon ministers meet visa over national digital payment platform

Lebanon’s finance and technology ministers met representatives from Visa last week to discuss a proposed unified national digital payment platform for government services, according to a readout from the Ministry of Finance.

The meeting brought together Finance Minister Yassin Jaber, Minister of State for Technology and Artificial Intelligence Kamal Shehadeh, a Visa delegation, and experts from both ministries. Discussion focused on whether Lebanon could establish a single platform through which citizens and institutions would pay taxes, fees, fines and other official transactions electronically, using mobile phones and other digital channels.

The Visa delegation presented examples from countries that have adopted unified government payment platforms, including the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Estonia and Jordan. According to the readout, the examples were presented as having increased collection rates and expanded financial inclusion.

Talks covered settlement mechanisms, direct transfer to the treasury account, financial reconciliation, risk management, cybersecurity, fees, and an operational model that would involve the private sector. The parties agreed to continue technical and institutional consultations, prepare a comparative study, and develop an implementation roadmap before any decision on adopting a model for Lebanon.

Jaber said the Ministry of Finance had already enabled citizens to pay using credit cards and e-wallets through transfer companies, but described the proposed platform as a further step. He framed the development of electronic payment and collection systems as a priority within the ministry’s modernization plan.

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Shehadeh outlined the citizen-facing concept as a single mobile application through which users could settle obligations to ministries, government institutions and other bodies.

“The idea, in short, is that any citizen downloads an application on their mobile phone, through which they can pay all service obligations for all ministries, government institutions, or those owned by the Lebanese state, and others as well, as the platform is not limited only to state institutions,” he said.

Shehadeh added that the platform would not displace banks and money transfer companies that currently provide collection services to the state, calling it complementary to their work.