Artificial intelligence (AI) is an incredible tool. It’s revolutionizing industries, advancing medical research, and making businesses more productive. But like any powerful technology, it can also be used for the wrong reasons – and it’s important you’re aware of it.
Cyber criminals have discovered that generative AI (the same kind of AI that powers tools like ChatGPT and Copilot) makes their scams faster, smarter, and more convincing than ever…
AI-generated malware
Malware (malicious software) isn’t new, but AI has made it quicker to produce, harder to detect, and more effective at bypassing security measures. Cyber criminals use AI to write malware that looks like legitimate browser extensions, software downloads, and even innocent-looking files like PDFs or images.
Stay safe: Keep your security software up to date and never download software or browser extensions from unknown sources.
Fooling security systems
Most cyber security software works by spotting known malware patterns. By slightly tweaking existing malware, scammers can create thousands of unique versions that security systems don’t recognize.
Stay safe: Regularly update your security software to keep up with evolving threats. AI-powered security tools can also help to detect suspicious activity.
AI-powered password cracking
Cyber criminals are now using AI to break into accounts faster than ever. AI can test millions of password combinations per second, analyze leaked passwords, and even predict passwords based on common patterns.
Stay safe: Use strong, unique passwords for every account and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security.
Smarter phishing scams
Phishing emails used to be easy to spot – bad grammar, weird phrasing, and suspicious links were all giveaways. But with AI, scammers can create perfectly written, highly personalized messages that look exactly like they came from a trusted colleague or supplier.
Stay safe: Always verify unexpected emails, especially if they request payments, login details, or sensitive information. Hover over links before clicking and double-check sender addresses.
Deepfake impersonation
Imagine getting a video call from your CEO asking you to process an urgent payment. You recognize their voice and face… but it’s not actually them. AI-generated deepfakes can clone voices and faces to trick employees into transferring money or sharing sensitive data.
Stay safe: If something seems unusual or too urgent, verify the request by calling on a known number or confirming in person.