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arXiv · 1810.11063

Sorry: Ambient Tactical Deception Via Malware-Based Social Engineering

Adam Trowbridge·Jessica Westbrook·Filipo Sharevski
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Abstract

In this paper we argue, drawing from the perspectives of cybersecurity and social psychology, that Internet-based manipulation of an individual or group reality using ambient tactical deception is possible using only software and changing words in a web browser. We call this attack Ambient Tactical Deception (ATD). Ambient, in artificial intelligence, describes software that is "unobtrusive," and completely integrated into a user's life. Tactical deception is an information warfare term for the use of deception on an opposing force. We suggest that an ATD attack could change the sentiment of text in a web browser. This could alter the victim's perception of reality by providing disinformation. Within the limit of online communication, even a pause in replying to a text can affect how people perceive each other. The outcomes of an ATD attack could include alienation, upsetting a victim, and influencing their feelings about an election, a spouse, or a corporation.

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Adam Trowbridge, Jessica Westbrook, Filipo Sharevski. 2018-10-25. Sorry: Ambient Tactical Deception Via Malware-Based Social Engineering. https://arxiv.org/abs/1810.11063

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