Artificial intelligence (AI) has increased a wide range of business processes by letting SMEs operate with increased efficiency and precision. However, the ‘dark side’ of AI is that the same logic applies to cyber criminals. Many digital attackers now use AI-enhanced malware and phishing tactics to automate large-scale attacks on small businesses.
SMEs are especially vulnerable to this new generation of cyber threats because of their limited infrastructure to counteract AI security risks. With a limited IT budget, decentralised or unplanned IT infrastructure, and basic or outdated technical expertise, small businesses and their teams often struggle to counter these intelligent and well-orchestrated threats, especially when people are working remotely.
1. AI-powered phishing:
AI phishing is a major threat to small businesses, in which an attacker uses machine learning algorithms to analyse your data and create personalised and convincing emails and messages to fool your staff into giving up sensitive personal or financial information. These phishing attempts often bypass traditional spam filters and firewalls, tricking recipients into downloading malicious files. By mimicking a target’s tone of voice, written style, or specific requests, AI attacks are far harder to detect, and can often lead to breaches of critical business systems.
2. Automated vulnerability scanning:
Another significant risk, automated vulnerability scanning is where an AI actively searches for weaknesses in your business’s IT network, software, or devices. These sinister tools can scan hundreds of systems in a fraction of the time of older manual methods, identifying outdated software, misconfigurations, or open ports that could be exploited. Once a vulnerability is found, the AI may exploit it immediately, or harvest the information for the attacker to sell on darknet marketplaces, leaving your business scrambling to catch up.
3. AI malware:
AI enhanced malware is another growing menace to British SMEs. Unlike traditional malware – which is often sophisticated enough – the new generation of AI programs can evolve and adapt by analysing detection methods in real time. AI-powered ransomware, for instance, can modify its encryption techniques to outwit many antivirus platforms and prevent forensic analysis. This adaptability allows malicious software to persist longer in your systems, increasing the potential for data theft, operational downtime, and financial losses.
Taken together, these AI threats represent a significant escalation in the cyber security challenges faced by smaller businesses.
So, what is the best way to safeguard your staff, business, and customers against AI-enhanced scams?
Unfortunately, one of the hallmarks of artificial intelligence is that it is more intelligent than us, and the sophistication of AI is increasing almost day by day. So, protecting your business against AI-driven cyber threats needs increased vigilance, awareness, and an investment in the latest security measures.
The following tips and best practices will also help keep you and your staff safe:
Don’t give out personal information:
Be extremely cautious about the information you share with chat bots and contacts by email, especially regarding passwords, financial data, and other information. You should verify the legitimacy of any unsolicited information request, even if it appears to come from a trusted source or colleague.
Verify who (or what) you’re talking to online:
Many organisations now use sophisticated AI chat bots as customer service tools. The same unfortunately now applies to cyber criminals. It’s worth independently verifying the legitimacy and identity of who or what you are talking to rather than relying solely on communication through phone, social media, or email.
Trust your instinct:
Often, if something feels suspicious or too good to be true, then it is worth trusting your gut. Take the time to verify information and seek independent advice from an IT expert, if necessary, before you sign up for something or share information. Always listen to your doubts.
Use next gen cyber security software:
It’s worth investing in a next-gen proactive cyber security platform, which actively seeks out the markers of abnormal behaviour to protect your devices and IT infrastructure from AI-enhanced cyber threats. Note that traditional antivirus software doesn’t do this – these applications simply detect threats that have already got through your firewall, and in the case of AI threats, the damage may have already been done by this time.
At Vantage IT, we offer a range of responsive and proactive cyber security services to help keep your business, customers, and staff safe from AI threats in the evolving landscape of cybercrime. To find out more, please contact one of our experienced team today by clicking here.
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