AI-powered worm raises global cybersecurity alarm, study warns of self-spreading threat
AI-powered worm raises global cybersecurity alarm, study warns of self-spreading threat
Publish Date: 2026-06-08 09:12:00
Source Domain: www.storyboard18.com
A new study by researchers at the University of Toronto has raised alarms in the cybersecurity community after demonstrating how artificial intelligence can be used to create a self-spreading computer worm capable of autonomously infecting networks, according to a Moneycontrol report.
The research, published in a paper titled AI Agents Enable Adaptive Computer Worms, describes a system that differs sharply from traditional computer worms.
The research shows that the AI-driven worm can move from one device to another without human intervention, adapting its attack strategies in real time based on the vulnerabilities it encounters. Unlike traditional worms, which rely on exploiting a single flaw, the new system can analyse each target, identify weaknesses and generate customised attack plans, making it significantly more difficult to stop.
The prototype was developed using open-source large language models, allowing it to operate independently of commercial AI platforms. This means it can bypass common safeguards such as rate limits or restrictions typically applied to controlled AI services.
Researchers tested the worm in a simulated corporate network that included a mix of Linux, Windows and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. In these controlled trials, the malware was able to compromise nearly three-quarters of the network within a week and establish a persistent presence across multiple systems.
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The study highlighted that once a device is infected, the worm can use its computing resources to sustain operations and carry out further attacks, effectively reducing the cost of continued propagation to near zero for attackers.
Experts have warned that the implications of such technology could be far-reaching. Because the worm can adapt and evolve as it spreads, virtually any internet-connected device—including laptops, cameras, or smart home equipment—could become a…
