Man arrested in Ciudad Real for cyber attacks using artificial intelligence
The Guardia Civil has arrested a hacker who used AI tools to unlawfully access systems of public and private entities. The City Council of Ciudad Real was one of his primary targets.
Arrested for cyber attacks assisted by artificial intelligence
According to interior.gob.es, the Guardia Civil has arrested a person in Ciudad Real accused of multiple crimes of unlawful access to computer systems, disclosure and revelation of secrets, and attempted extortion. Investigators confirmed that the detainee made intensive use of artificial intelligence tools to facilitate his attacks against systems of Spanish public and private entities.
Analysis of the confiscated electronic devices revealed that AI platforms allowed him to acquire specialist knowledge, resolve technical difficulties and develop attack procedures that exceeded his previous training. These tools significantly reduced the barriers of knowledge traditionally necessary to execute unlawful access to computer systems.
The City Council of Ciudad Real was one of those primarily affected. Unlawful access to its Low Emission Zone management platform forced the municipal authority to suspend the digital platform. Furthermore, a company providing software services for management and electronic administration to public bodies was also compromised. The collaboration of these entities with the Guardia Civil proved decisive for the success of the investigation.
During the investigation, numerous additional organisations were identified whose systems had been compromised without their administrators detecting the unauthorised access. The information obtained made it possible to notify the affected entities of the facts discovered, facilitating their adoption of measures to strengthen the security of their systems.
Interior.gob.es warns that unauthorised access to computer systems, as well as the alteration, deletion or dissemination of data recorded in those systems, can give rise to criminal liability. The Guardia Civil has specialised capabilities for the detection, investigation and prosecution of these crimes, so any action of this nature can be identified and pursued in accordance with current legislation. The investigation has been coordinated by Plaza Nº3 of the Civil and Investigation Section of the Court of First Instance of Collado Villalba.
Source: Google News ES — Crime (es)