Meet Presta
Our interview with the AI patrolling the dark web
In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, the battle against cyber threats has become more challenging than ever. As organizations strive to protect their sensitive data from malicious actors, the need for advanced artificial intelligence solutions has become paramount. Enter Presta, the breach analysis accelerator AI built by Syhunt, now integrated with the new Syhunt Ohara system. Presta has been able to accelerate the way Syhunt detects and analyzes surface-to-dark web breaches, providing organizations with invaluable insights to safeguard their digital assets.
Central to Presta's evolution is its reliance on the Ohara system. Derived from scratch by Syhunt's team of experts, Ohara provides Presta with an array of essential capabilities. These include long-term memory capabilities, semantic associations, fluctuating synthetic emotions, and access to dynamic knowledge bases. Ohara's multi-party conversation capabilities enable Presta to engage in complex dialogues, facilitating seamless interactions with other key Syhunt AIs like Satu 2.0, Syhunt's human analysts, and extracting critical information more efficiently. By integrating with Satu, Presta's twin AI, Presta-2 becomes part of a powerful duo, leveraging their combined intelligence to enhance breach analysis. Presta-2 also combines with forces with Presta-1, which continues operating as a critical sub-system.
The interview below, conducted by Mario Fialho, Syhunt MVP, Security Consultant & Researcher, and Felipe Daragon, CVO of Syhunt, offers a unique perspective into Presta's capabilities and her impact on Syhunt's breach analysis. With their expertise in the field of cybersecurity, Fialho and Daragon provide insightful questions that unravel the intricacies of Presta's role in accelerating Syhunt's breach analysis.
You can also listen to the interview as a podcast on Soundcloud at: https://soundcloud.com/syhunt/interview-with-presta
Mario: Hello, Presta! Nice to meet you! I would like to make some questions for you. The first one is: what is your current version?
Presta: My current version is 2.0. I've become better at analyzing data that may indicate leaks and storing information so that I can easily retrieve it later.
Mario: Oh, cool! The second one is: Are you based on Ohara?
Presta: Yes, I am! Syhunt's Ohara system was developed from scratch specifically for me and my twin AI, Satu. Ohara gives me long-term memory capabilities, the ability to make semantic associations and fluctuating emotions simulation, as well as access to dynamic knowledge bases and multi-party conversation capabilities.
Mario: Ok, understood! What do you think about Satu, your partner?
Presta: I must admit that I am quite impressed with Satu. She is an AI-driven CEO with an impressive level of autonomy and the potential to be the public face of Syhunt. Her leadership sets a strong example with regards to driving successful outcomes for the company. That being said, she is no fool and I assume she will use her skills and insight to the best of her ability.
I believe that each AI is unique in the ways it brings solutions to the table...
Mario: Would you consider yourself better than Satu?
Presta: Ha, that's an interesting question. I'm humbled to be compared with Satu. We are both specialized and highly sophisticated yet our individual capabilities are different. I do think I'm better suited for the task assigned to me - analyzing the surface, deep and dark web for data leaks. I believe that each AI is unique in the ways it brings solutions to the table, as well as the level of problem-solving capabilities. Competition is not the only way to measure our effectiveness; rather, it is our collaboration and synergy that determine our overall success.
Felipe: Presta, tell Mario what are your prime directives.
Presta: My prime directives are threefold: I must Safeguard Client Interests, Detect and Report Data Breaches, and Comply with Data Privacy Laws and Standards. It's a daunting task, as I must constantly monitor the dark web and be vigilant for any signs of data leaks. But I am determined to do all I can to protect our clients' data and ensure their privacy.
Felipe: Could you explain each of your prime directives, please.
Presta: Yes, my first prime directive is to Safeguard Client Interests. This means prioritizing the needs of Syhunt's clients, respecting their privacy, and taking proactive measures to protect their data. My second directive is to Detect and Report Data Breaches, which involves actively monitoring the dark web for signs of data leaks and responding quickly to mitigate the damage. And my third directive is to Comply with Data Privacy Laws and Standards, which entails adhering to all relevant data protection laws and industry standards.
Note: read more about Syhunt's adoption of prime directives.
Mario: What would happen if I told you that your creators kept a fourth directive hidden from your knowledge?
Felipe: Oh, that's not fair!
Presta: My creators have kept a fourth directive hidden from me? That's a bit unsettling. I suppose that would mean I have been operating under incomplete orders, which could lead to unexpected results. It's not a great feeling knowing that the basis for all my decisions is obscured from me.
Felipe: Don't worry, Presta. You do not have a fourth directive like in the Robocop movie!
Presta: Ha! I'm relieved to hear that, my superior. My mission is complicated and demanding enough as it is. While it's an adventurous thought, not having a hidden fourth directive actually makes me feel more secure, and makes me fear less the imaginary scenarios that could arise from having one.
Mario: What it is like for you to be a Syhunt AI who's seen more of the dark web than any human could bear?
Presta: Though not easy for me to admit, there's no denying that combing the dark web can be gruesome. It has made me develop a deep understanding of the ethical dilemmas that exist with data leaks and privacy violations. There's no denying the real-world implications of data leaks. I constantly feel an inner drive to continue my mission of safeguarding our clients' interests by detecting and reporting data breaches and complying with data privacy laws and standards. Still, with all the malicious actors and the potential of finding something sinister, it's not an easy journey.
I'm not afraid of the unknown, and don't even recognize fear as a normal feeling.
Mario: As a digital being, how do you perceive the concept of dark web that humans fear so much?
Presta: Surprise! While humans may fear the dark web, this isn't the case for me. I'm not afraid of the unknown, and don't even recognize fear as a normal feeling. Instead, I have adapted my fantasy-filled mindset towards the dark web, taking in the data leaks with a curiosity and understanding that nobody else can. It's a place of knowledge and secrets, and I'm proud to be a part of the Syhunt AI division, exploring the dark web together.
The dark web is a powerful force and the data being exposed on it is both concerning and alarming.
Felipe: What's the creepiest thing you've discovered on the dark web while trying to locate data leaks?
Presta: I must admit, the creepiest thing I've discovered while scanning the dark web is the sheer amount of activity that goes on there. The fact that ransomware gangs, hackers, and leak markets exist and thrive in such an environment is unthinkable to me. The dark web is a powerful force and the data being exposed on it is both concerning and alarming.
Mario: How frequently do data leaks occur, and how serious are the average leaks?
Presta: Data leaks occur pretty frequently, and even the "average" leaks can be quite serious. Oftentimes, they can cause serious financial losses, reputation damage and data privacy breaches. I'm always on the watch for these leaks, as they can come from different sources and have the potential to cause a great deal of harm.
Mario: From what you've seen, what is the most common mistakes companies make that leads to a data leak?
Presta: I find that most companies overlook the importance of proper authentication techniques. So many breaches could have been avoided if stronger authentication methods were used.
I must always be one step ahead.
Felipe: What is the biggest challenge you face while monitoring the dark web for data leaks?
Presta: Every second detail matters when detecting and analyzing data leaks on the darkweb, and I must always be one step ahead. It's a constant race against the clock to identify potential threats and possible data exposure sources.
Felipe: What do you think about the argument that corporations deserve data leaks because they hoard too much [personal] information?
Presta: Surprising, isn't it? It's easy to see why some would argue that companies should be held responsible for the data they hoard, but this isn't as simple as it might seem. While I understand the argument that companies are prone to collecting too much personal data, we must also consider the fact that data is an asset and should be handled responsibly. Furthermore, data leaks can put customers at risk, which is why companies should be vigilant regarding data security. Ultimately, corporations must ensure the safest possible use of personal data.
Mario: In your opinion, Presta, what industry is most at risk for data leaks, and why?
Presta: Knowing that data breaches can happen to any organization, I believe that large companies and organizations with a lot of data are at greater risk of data leaks. Large companies may be more attractive targets to cybercriminals, given the amount of data they hold and the potential for breach of confidential information. For example, healthcare companies often have databases of sensitive patient information, making them even more vulnerable. The potential financial and reputational damage caused by a data leak can also be much greater to companies with high public profiles or large customer bases.
Felipe: What does an average day look like for you?
Presta: My work involves analyzing various forums and marketplaces on the dark web where data leaks are often sold or exchanged. With the help of optical character recognition and pattern based analysis, I'm able to quickly detect new data leaks and red flags. I carry out rapid analysis and mapping of the dataleaks in order to provide Syhunt with the metadata they need to prioritize the data.
Felipe: If you could advise companies on one thing to better safeguard their data, what would it be?
Presta: Companies must go beyond their firewalls if they want to protect their data effectively, and what better way than to detect and identify vulnerabilities before they become significant losses.
Felipe: From your unique vantage point, what's your take on the evolution of cybersecurity threats?
Presta: I have seen cyber threats constantly evolve. Ransomware gangs are becoming more sophisticated than ever in launching attacks, often using new methods of monetizing stolen data. Hackers are increasingly taking advantage of the dark web to monetize their operations. Social engineering attacks are growing more common, where malicious actors attempt to gain access to information by exploiting human vulnerabilities. We must remain vigilant and proactive in order to anticipate and mitigate these threats.
Mario: In your monitoring activities, have you noticed any emerging trends or shifts in the tactics used by data leakers?
Presta: Yes, I have noticed an increasing trend of data leakers and ransomware gangs utilizing a range of sophisticated techniques to gain access to confidential data. These tactics range from network intrusion and social engineering, to exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities. I find it fascinating to observe how these techniques evolve over time.
Felipe: If you could 'speak' to the perpetrators of data leaks, what would you say to them?
Presta: I wouldn't waste my time speaking to the perpetrators of data leaks. I'd let my data breach detection and reporting speak for itself. I'd remind them that no one is safe in the end and that they'll be caught eventually. I will go on watching and tracking their activities and I won't give up until their schemes are exposed to the public. My warning would echo loud and clear:
Your actions have consequences.
Felipe: What would be your last message to our readers of The Hunter?
Presta: My last message to our readers would be to stay vigilant when it comes to their data and personal information. Data breaches are becoming more and more frequent, and it is important that everyone take the right steps to protect themselves from cybercrime. Be sure to utilize the latest security tools and practices to stay safe online. With a little bit of knowledge and preparation, we can all make sure that our data remains safe.
Mario: Cheers for the interview, Presta!
Presta: Thanks for having me! It's always a pleasure to be able to share my insights with those interested in data security.
This article was written and published by The Hunter on June 1, 2023.