Artificial Intelligence (AI) has featured heavily in the media in recent months and, for many businesses, is delivering tangible benefits through improved efficiency, decision-making, and deployment of skills. For example, AI is allowing repetitive and time-consuming tasks to be automated, allowing employees to concentrate on strategic tasks that increase overall productivity.
A key threat facing businesses is AI’s ability to collect data and evade security measures. Cybercriminals can use AI to automate phishing campaigns, generating convincing messages that are designed to deceive users and steal sensitive information. Recent data suggests that two-fifths of phishing emails are now written by Artificial Intelligence, while 60 per cent of recipients are more likely to be fooled by an artificially generated email. These attacks are becoming more sophisticated, making it harder to distinguish between legitimate and fraudulent communications.
Another area in which AI poses a growing risk is the creation of deepfake videos and images. Generally, humans are good at spotting inconsistencies in faces, particularly when it comes to detecting fake identities. Subtle cues, such as unnatural skin texture, inconsistent aging, and abnormal blinking, can indicate that something is amiss. However, as AI technology advances, it becomes increasingly difficult to spot these signs. With the rise of AI-driven video scams, it’s essential that your employees remain vigilant and critically assess all video content, especially when engaging with unfamiliar sources.
In the event of an AI-generated scam, it’s vital to act quickly to protect your organisation’s information:
While AI offers many benefits, staying informed, cautious, and – to a degree – cynical, is key to minimising its potential misuse.
Robust computer security can help to prevent AI-driven cyberattacks by implementing advanced threat detection systems, encryption, and multi-factor authentication. Regular updates, AI monitoring tools, and behaviour analysis can identify suspicious activities. Educating users and enforcing strict access controls can also minimise vulnerabilities that cyberattacks might try to exploit with AI tools.
If you’re worried about AI fraud and want to find out more about what you can do to protect your business’s interests, download our free publication, The Ultimate Guide to Defending Your SME Against Cyberattacks today.
