Spear Phishing With Large Language Models

Understand

Recent progress in artificial intelligence (AI), particularly in the domain of large language models (LLMs), has resulted in powerful and versatile dual-use systems.

• This intelligence can be put towards a wide variety of beneficial tasks, yet it can also be used to cause harm.
• This study explores one such harm by examining how LLMs can be used for spear phishing, a form of cybercrime that involves manipulating targets into divulging sensitive information.
• I first explore LLMs' ability to assist with the reconnaissance and message generation stages of a spear phishing attack, where I find that LLMs are capable of assisting with the email generation phase of a spear phishing attack.