The problem with uncensored AI may be how easy it is to buy

The underground economy already sells malware, phishing kits, and other cybercrime tools as services. Sophos researchers are now seeing a similar model emerge around AI, with uncensored models being advertised to people who want fewer restrictions than mainstream chatbots provide.

Sophos Counter Threat Unit researchers recently identified Luciferus, an AI service advertised on the Exploit underground forum as answering requests without moral or ethical restrictions. The service is sold through subscriptions, with plans starting at $22 per month and higher-priced options offering additional access and dedicated computing resources.

READ MORE: The smartphone is becoming the agent | Inquirer Technology

An AI service built around fewer restrictions

Luciferus was advertised by an Exploit forum user called “Optimus_Prime,” who claimed that the service uses a proprietary 120-billion-parameter model. Sophos has not independently verified that claim, its architecture, performance, or privacy and security features.

Researchers did observe Luciferus Junior responding to a request for a simple Python remote access trojan. Sophos did not execute the generated code, so it has not established whether it would actually work.

Sophos says this is part of underground market for AI, where threat actors are offering uncensored models, modified legitimate services, API access, and other AI-related tools. It follows the same commercial approach that has made other cybercrime tools easier to obtain without requiring customers to build them themselves.

Lowering the barrier

Someone who wants to use AI for something it normally refuses to do does not necessarily need to figure out how to bypass those safeguards if an alternative service is already available for purchase.

Sophos researchers have also observed growing interest in AI across underground communities, including discussions about AI tools and recruitment for people with AI expertise. The company says these services could make AI-assisted cybercrime more accessible to less technical users.

Luciferus’ advertised capabilities should still be treated with some caution because several of its claims have not been independently verified. What is clear is that uncensored AI is being packaged as a commercial service in the same underground economy that has spent years turning complicated cybercrime tools into products.

The technology may change, but the business model is familiar. The easier a tool is to buy, the fewer technical skills someone needs to start using it.