Attack of the Clones: When AI Imitates to Manipulate
Posted in: News
Artificial Intelligence is transforming how we learn, work, and communicate — but it’s also becoming a powerful tool in the wrong hands. From convincing phishing scams to manipulated images, AI misuse can have real consequences for students, staff, and the entire campus community.
How AI Can Be Misused
Attackers and bad actors are leveraging AI to:
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Generate convincing phishing emails or messages using natural language models to mimic real people.
- Sometimes they can spoof email addresses or compromise an actual account.
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Create fake images or videos (deepfakes) to impersonate others or spread misinformation.
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Automate scams at scale using bots to respond, target, and lure victims quickly.
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Harvest and manipulate personal data, especially from public social media profiles, to tailor attacks.
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Bypass security filters by subtly rewording malicious messages so they appear harmless to spam or malware detectors.
Real-World Impact on Victims
AI-powered attacks can:
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Steal login credentials or financial data through fake websites or malicious forms.
- Never give away your login credentials or your Duo MFA codes.
- Montclair State University will never ask you for your login credentials and Duo MFA codes.
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Damage reputations if manipulated content spreads online.
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Expose personal information, especially if AI scrapes data from public sources.
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Exploit trust, such as mimicking a professor’s tone or using university branding to trick students.
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Undermine academic integrity, with tools used to generate fake research or impersonate authorship.
How to Stay Safe in the Age of AI
Here’s how to protect yourself and others:
- Verify before you trust
If a message or request feels even slightly off, take a moment to confirm through a second channel (call, in person, etc.). - Use multi-factor authentication (MFA)
This adds a strong layer of protection even if your password gets compromised.- Duo MFA can be used for your personal accounts too!
- Be skeptical of what you see online
Images, videos, and even voices can be faked with AI. Always check sources and look for signs of manipulation. - Limit what you share publicly
The less personal data available, the less attackers can use against you. - Learn what AI can (and can’t) do
Educating yourself about how AI works — and how it can be abused — is a critical defense. - Use AI responsibly
When you use generative AI tools for study or work, follow academic integrity policies. Misuse can have disciplinary consequences.
Bottom Line
AI is a powerful tool — but like any tool, it can be misused. Staying informed and cautious helps protect you and the campus community from becoming a victim of manipulation, fraud, or digital harm.
“AI doesn’t need to be evil to cause harm — it just needs to be used carelessly.”
— Emily Harris JD, CISSP, CIPP/US
Chief Information Security Officer
Want to Know More?
Fast Company | How AI is impacting trust among college students and teachers
CyberCrime Magazine | The clear and present danger of AI-powered attacks, and how to defeat them