Many computer users, especially those lacking tech-savvy, tend to believe that Linux is considerably more secure than Windows. This idea proliferated because of the significantly higher number of attacks affecting Windows devices compared to those that run Linux. Threat actors find it more viable to target Windows devices because there are way more devices that use Microsoft’s OS and Linux users tend to be more technically knowledgeable.
However, the cyber threat landscape has changed. Even Linux systems are already being regularly targeted. A recently reported malware, for example, is threatening Linux devices as it exploits misconfigurations in Apache Hadoop, Docker, Confluence, and Redis. This malware employs Golang payloads to automate the search for and exploitation of vulnerable hosts while keeping itself concealed through multiple user-mode rootkits.
Incidentally, the rise of artificial intelligence is bringing about new challenges for Linux systems. AI has its beneficial side, but it also bears unwanted changes affecting Linux security. Here’s a glimpse of how AI is affecting the Linux ecosystem.
The good: augmenting cybersecurity
Artificial intelligence and cybersecurity can be a good combination. Security firms have come up with AI security solutions that augment conventional cyber defense tools with automation, threat prioritization, contextual threat analysis, behavioral analysis, and other smart mechanisms to boost threat detection and prevention. AI is also useful in simulating attack scenarios and in conducting red and purple teaming campaigns.
Cybersecurity is a meticulous process that includes numerous repetitive tasks. With AI, tediously repetitious actions can be automated to eliminate human error and enable continuous security evaluations. Also, cybersecurity involves the handling of unimaginable volumes of data, which AI can scan to implement prioritization and ensure that the most urgent threat alerts are promptly addressed and not hidden under false positives and unnecessary notifications.
Also, AI takes threat detection beyond threat databases. It can conduct behavior analysis as well as predictive analytics to spot anomalous actions that can indicate an attack or vulnerability. It can consolidate multiple threat intelligence sources, but it does not solely rely on threat identity information to catch potential attacks. It examines patterns of actions or behavior to address threats, thus enabling zero-day protection.
The downside: boosting cyber attacks
Unfortunately, AI is not only capable of enhancing cyber defenses. It can also boost adversarial actions. For one, AI is already being employed to rapidly generate malicious software. It is expected to bump up the global ransomware threat. It makes it easier to generate malware that can overwhelm cyber defenses or quickly evolve to avoid existing detection systems.
Additionally, artificial intelligence can help automate cyber attacks. It can conduct targeted reconnaissance by analyzing massive volumes of data to find vulnerabilities and gather information that can be useful in launching bespoke attacks against certain organizations. AI can facilitate sophisticated phishing attacks with convincing messages based on various information about personalities or entities being targeted.
Also, AI can significantly boost distributed denial-of-service attacks. There are AI-enhanced botnets that are capable of autonomously adapting to changing network conditions and defensive measures. They can change their behavior to simulate legitimate traffic and avoid detection. They can also be resistant to takedown attempts, allowing them to pursue coordinated attacks at larger scales and with greater effect.
Moreover, the rise of artificial intelligence amplifies the ability of cyber attacks to exploit human weaknesses. AI is the technology behind deep fakes, which are fabricated videos or audio aimed at convincing people to believe an idea or action by making it appear that someone said or did something. Deep fakes significantly bolster the effectiveness of social engineering attacks like phishing and water-holing.
It is also worth noting that AI can be used for adversarial machine learning. This is the use of AI to develop complex evasion techniques to bypass AI-powered cyber defenses. Likewise, AI can be used to trick machine learning models into behaving erratically or making incorrect decisions by feeding them strategically crafted data inputs that confuse the system or create serious conflicts.
Rationalizing the impact of AI on Linux security
To streamline the discussion and connect the points raised above to the threat of AI on Linux security, it is important to highlight the following key points:
- Linux is an open-source system.
- Most Linux users are tech-savvy.
- Linux has more advanced built-in security features.
The open-source nature of Linux is often viewed as an advantage because it means that the OS is continuously reviewed and improved by passionate user-developers. It is a transparent system whose flaws are quickly detected and resolved. At the same time, its security features or new function updates are known to the public.
This openness is helpful in improving Linux, but it also means that threat actors can explore how its security features operate. As such, they can develop ways to counter defenses or scrutinize the system for possible vulnerabilities. AI can accelerate these attempts to find security weaknesses and develop tactics or malware to infect Linux.
On the other hand, it is often suggested that it is difficult to attack Linux systems because most of their users are technically proficient, so they are usually able to notice threats and attacks. This supposed advantage, however, is no longer as substantial as it was in the past. With AI, anyone with enough ingenuity can launch AI-aided attacks that have the potential to overcome the cybersecurity awareness advantage of Linux users.
Moreover, the advanced security features will no longer be as effective as they were in the past in the face of AI-driven threats. As mentioned, the open-source nature of Linux has its drawbacks, particularly the readily available information on how security features work and how they can be defeated. It will not be difficult for AI systems to continuously monitor Linux and repeatedly attempt to break its protective mechanisms.
The takeaway
Linux has some advantages over other operating systems when it comes to security. However, artificial intelligence is slowly diminishing these advantages. AI is a double-edged sword, though, which can be used to attack or defend. Cybercriminals are already doing their best to work on the attack part. It is incumbent upon Linux users and developers to leverage AI to enhance defense for everyone’s benefit. It is important to maximize the positive impact of AI on Linux security.
