CloudSEK, an artificial intelligence company that predicts cyber threats, estimates a 200-300 per cent month on month rise in AI generated YouTube videos that are being used to spread information-stealing malware such as Vidar, RedLine and Raccoon.

“AI generated videos featuring synthetic personas are on the rise, used in various languages and platforms for recruitment, education and promotional purposes. Unfortunately, threat actors have also adopted this tactic.”

“YouTube is a popular platform with over 2.5 billion active monthly users, making it an easy target for threat actors. CloudSEK has observed a 2 to 3 times month-on-month increase in the number of videos spreading stealer malware.

“Threat actors use a variety of tactics to deceive the platform’s algorithm and review process, such as using region-specific tags, adding fake comments to give videos legitimacy, and frequent video uploads to compensate for deleted or taken down videos,” a statement from the CloudSEK said.