How AI is Helping Scammers

Vibe coding, or using text prompts to have AI produce code for you, has taken the programming world by storm, and hackers are taking note.

January 29, 2026

Vibe coding, or using text prompts to have AI produce code for you, has taken the programming world by storm, and hackers are taking note. VoidLink, malware which targets Linux mainframes, is gaining attention for having largely been developed this way.

In the past, so-called “script monkeys” were the primary users of code previously developed by others and placed on the dark web where more casual users could easily cobble together a piece of malware. With the advent of AI and vibe coding, third-party development and distribution of malware may cede to instant customized processes.

Regardless of the leaps ahead in methodology, the precautions end users can take to protect themselves from viruses and other malware remain valid. Please consider the following as you use computing resources at Blinn College District:

1. Never give your password to anyone. Academic Technology, Blinn’s tech support, will never ask you for a password. Anyone posing as a Blinn employee and asking for it is not to be trusted. The human factor remains the most common attack vector in any organization’s security, and “human engineering” or trying to trick you into installing a program or provide your credentials is still used by bad actors across the globe every day. When your account is compromised, it could lead to negative consequences for the district, lost time restoring the account, and inconvenience on your behalf.
2. Never approve a Duo prompt you did not initiate by logging into a Blinn application.
3. Always log off a computer when not using it. This is particularly important in a lab or other public setting. Even if the computer eventually logs itself off, the time when a terminal is open remains a vulnerable one for your account. Someone could use your account to perform illicit activities that are then tied to your record. So, always log off even when stepping away for a brief moment.
4. Keep home computers up to date and virus free. Keystroke loggers and other conduits for personal data pose a threat to Blinn resources when accessing remotely. If you need to login to my.blinn.edu from home, please ensure you are doing so from a secure computer.

Bad actors never sleep, and computing resources are under constant threat. Remaining vigilant helps to keep malware at bay, even as production methods change over time.