AI advancements give hackers new ways to launch cyberattacks

The Dayton Daily News turned to the University of Cincinnati’s Richard Harknett, PhD, for context on the recent influx of cyberattacks. Harknett is co-director of the Ohio Cyber Range Institute, chair of the Center for Cyber Strategy and Policy and director of UC’s School of Public and International Affairs.

Harknett told the Dayton Daily News that cybercriminals are increasingly cunning. He explained that while the FBI and law enforcement are becoming more proactive in disrupting these operations before an attack, offenders are rarely caught.

“Ransomware gangs are becoming more sophisticated in their operations — how they exploit, negotiate and collect ransom. The number of such gangs has nearly tripled in the past two years,” Harknett said. “Since most are overseas, you cannot rely on the threat of arresting them.”

And in the digital age, anyone is at risk of having their data compromised.

“If you hold personal data (online) or have an internet IP address, you are a target,” Harknett said.

Read the Dayton Daily News story. 

Featured image at top: Illustration of a password lock over a laptop. Photo/iStock.