Attackers are keeping old scams with new twists – and consumers must stay informed to protect themselves
- Gen Threat Report shows emerging trends in cyber attacks
- Attackers are increasingly including AI in their attack vectors
- Consumers and companies are being hit more and more often and harder
Cybercriminals are increasingly using AI technologies to enhance their attacks, experts warn.
A report van Gen has highlighted the growing need for vigilance as scammers integrate voices, images and videos using AI.
It warned that attackers are using the technology to create deepfake videos, often featuring celebrities, to endorse fake cryptocurrency schemes. Scammers have also been spotted exploiting global events and hijacking platforms like YouTube to run scams such as the SpaceX Starship Integrated Flight Test (IFT-4) scam, where more than $1.4 million was stolen through fake crypto campaigns.
Cybercriminals are expanding attacks with AI
Scammers are not only adopting new technologies, but also innovating older tactics, the report warns. For example, the antivirus scam, which was popular in the 2000s, has made a comeback, as cybercriminals are now deploying aggressive pop-up alerts that mimic legitimate antivirus programs and falsely claim that the victim’s computer has been infected.
These alerts abuse the Windows notification system to appear as credible system messages urging users to take action by purchasing fake antivirus software. The end game is to earn commissions through third-party referral programs while luring victims into a false sense of security.
Scammers are also taking advantage of a fluctuating labor market by offering jobs such as promoting goods on social media, which are evolving into more sophisticated schemes using AI-generated voice communications. Victims are convinced to send money, often without realizing they have been deceived, until it is too late.
The report also shows that there has been a wave of large-scale data breaches this year, with cybercriminals increasingly focusing on stealing digital identities. While purchasing personal data on the Dark Web remains a popular method, hackers are now turning to more direct techniques such as InfoStealers to gain access to sensitive information.
Cybercriminals are now shifting their focus to less protected consumers as companies strengthen their defenses against ransomware attacks. According to Gen telemetry, there was a 24% increase in ransomware attacks targeting consumers in the second quarter of 2024, with India witnessing a staggering 379% increase. The United States, Canada and the United Kingdom also saw significant spikes in these attacks.
“We continue to see cybercriminals expanding their toolkits with even greater use of AI to amplify their attacks,” said Siggi Stefnisson, Chief Technology Officer at General Manager. whether it has to do with elections, love or financial security.”
“Now with AI and other new technology, their plans are more advanced and compelling than ever before. We urge consumers to stay informed and alert. We will continue to closely monitor the latest threats and provide the latest knowledge and tools needed to be more secure despite the evolving threat landscape,” Stefnisson added.
Gen has also continued to strengthen its collaboration with governments around the world to combat ransomware and provide victims with free decryption tools with the recent release of the Avast DoNex Ransomware Decryptor, designed to help individuals recover from malicious ransomware.