Emerging Cybersecurity Scams: How to Protect Yourself
As technology evolves, so do the tactics used by cybercriminals. Scammers are using advanced techniques to exploit individuals and businesses in ways that are harder to detect. Below are some of the rising cybersecurity scams you should know about and how to protect yourself.
AI-Driven Deepfake Scams
Artificial intelligence is making it easier than ever to create highly realistic deepfake videos and audio clips. Cybercriminals use this technology to impersonate executives, celebrities, or even family members, tricking victims into transferring money or sharing sensitive information.
A deepfake scam that hit the news last year involved an AI-generated video of a CFO instructing an employee to wire funds to fraudulent accounts in Hong Kong. With AI improving rapidly, these scams are becoming more convincing and harder to detect.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Be skeptical of urgent requests involving financial transactions.
- Verify requests for sensitive actions via alternate methods such as a phone call, text, or Teams message to the requester.
Smishing Attacks
Smishing (SMS phishing) is on the rise, with cybercriminals using text messages to trick victims into clicking malicious links or revealing personal data. These scams usually impersonate banks or delivery services, creating a sense of urgency to prompt immediate action.
One example seen often is “Your delivery is delayed. Click here to update your address.” Once clicked, the link could install malware or lead to a fake login page designed to steal your credentials.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited text messages.
- Verify messages by directly contacting the supposed sender. Use your Amazon, UPS, or FedEx apps to confirm the legitimacy of any delivery requests sent via text.
AI-Powered Malware
Traditional malware has evolved with the help of artificial intelligence. AI-powered malware can adapt and change its code in real-time to evade detection by security software. This type of malware is designed to infiltrate systems, steal data, and even turn off security defenses before executing attacks.
For example, AI-powered malware can analyze a target’s behavior and deploy customized attacks, making it far more effective than traditional cyber threats.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Keep all your software and operating systems updated.
- Use AI-driven security solutions that detect and respond to evolving threats.
- Avoid downloading unknown attachments or clicking on suspicious links.
Shadow AI Usage
With AI tools becoming more accessible, employees often use them without management or IT approval, a phenomenon known as “shadow AI.” This can lead to unintentional data breaches should sensitive information be fed into AI systems with weak security measures.
For example, an employee using an unapproved AI chatbot to process customer data might unknowingly expose confidential details to external threats.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Implement clear guidelines on AI usage in the workplace.
- Avoid inputting confidential or personally identifiable information into insecure AI systems.
- Educate your team on the risks of using unauthorized AI tools.
Stay Ahead of Cybersecurity Threats
As cybercriminals become more sophisticated, staying informed and vigilant is crucial. By understanding and mitigating these new threats, individuals and businesses can better protect their data and finances in 2025 and beyond.
