The same sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) technology that powers chatbots and enhances our online shopping experience is also being exploited by cybercriminals to commit identity theft. These criminals are using AI to steal personal data with alarming speed and accuracy, and the consequences for the victims can be severe.
Phishing: AI can mimic tones and writing styles to generate emails and other messages that appear to come from trusted sources, such as your boss or your bank. These phishing attempts are difficult to detect and can trick recipients into clicking malicious links or revealing sensitive information.
Deepfake Impersonation: Scammers are using AI to clone voices or create realistic videos that sound and look like real people. For example, you might receive a video call from your company’s CEO requesting a wire transfer only to find out it was a fake, once it’s too late.
Data Scraping: AI-powered bots can scan social media platforms and websites to gather personal information. This data can be used to answer security questions or bypass authentication systems, giving criminals access to your financial accounts.
Fake Websites: Cybercriminals are using AI to create entire websites that look legitimate. These sites may even feature AI-powered chatbots that engage visitors and trick them into entering login credentials or credit card information.
AI-powered scams can be incredibly deceptive, but there are ways to protect yourself. Keep the following tips in mind:
- Be cautious when visiting unfamiliar websites or clicking on ads, especially on social media.
- Regularly monitor your bank and credit card statements for unusual activity.
- Always verify the identity of individuals or companies before responding to messages requesting personal or financial information.
As our lives become increasingly digital, staying informed and vigilant is essential. ICC can help protect your employees and your company’s data through cybersecurity training and by implementing security measures like multi-factor authentication. Contact us to learn more.
June 3, 2025
Maintaining IT without a dedicated IT team can be really challenging–especially for small businesses. It doesn’t only mean keeping computers running, but it also means staying on top of upgrades, staff training and knowing how to troubleshoot when problems arise. One of the smartest strategies companies are embracing is IT outsourcing. Whether you're a startup looking to scale quickly or an established company aiming to streamline operations, outsourcing IT functions can be a game-changer. Here are just a few of the reasons why.
Building and maintaining an in-house IT team can be expensive. Salaries, benefits, training, and infrastructure costs add up quickly. Outsourcing allows businesses to access top-tier IT talent at a fraction of the cost. With IT service providers, you only pay for the services you need, significantly reducing overhead expenses.
Technology evolves rapidly, and keeping up with the latest advancements requires continuous training and investment. Outside IT companies specialize in staying ahead of tech trends, providing businesses with access to expert professionals and the latest technologies without the hassle of constant upgrades and training.
As your business grows, so do your IT needs. Outsourcing gives you the flexibility to scale up or down based on demand. Whether you need additional support during peak seasons or specialized expertise for a short-term project, outsourcing allows you to adjust your IT resources without long-term commitments.
Managing IT in-house can be time-consuming and divert attention from core business responsibilities. Outsourcing IT tasks frees up internal resources, allowing leadership teams to focus on strategic initiatives, customer service, and innovation rather than troubleshooting technical issues.
Whatever your IT needs are, outsourcing help can present an opportunity to improve efficiency and save money, while moving your business forward and staying competitive. ICC brings expertise and commitment to every partnership. Review our services and contact us to find out the benefits we can bring to your business.
May 13, 2025
Like most technology, there are benefits and risks when it comes to AI chatbots. On the positive side, AI chatbots have been able to enhance customer service and business automation helping companies be more productive and efficient. However, these bots are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it easier for scammers to deceive consumers. With the ability to engage in fluid, human-like conversations, AI chatbots can be difficult to distinguish from legitimate interactions and fraudulent ones. Scammers are using them to steal personal information, manipulate emotions and execute financial fraud. Here are some of the common ways scammers are using AI chatbots.
Many scammers use AI chatbots to pose as customer service representatives from reputable companies. When users seek help online, they may unknowingly interact with a fraudulent chatbot that ultimately asks for sensitive information they are after, like passwords or credit card numbers. As a precaution, be suspicious of chatbots that ask for payment or personal information; reliable companies won’t ask you for that in a chat. If you receive a suspicious message, look up the company to see if it’s valid. In your search you may discover that the company has been accused of fraudulent activity.
Use caution when looking for love online. AI-powered romance scams are on the rise, with bots impersonating potential partners on dating sites and social media. These bots are programmed to build emotional connections before manipulating victims into sending money or sensitive information. Some signs of a scammer are few to no details in their profile, sending messages at odd times of the day and avoiding video or phone calls.
AI chatbots are becoming increasingly common on social media. For instance, a Facebook user might receive a message that their page violated regulations, and their page is at risk of being deleted. They might be asked to click on a link and provide their username and password. Some tell-tale signs that it’s a fraudulent message would be that the message isn’t Facebook branded or the link goes to a page that is not associated with Facebook.
As technology evolves, we must all make an effort to stay informed and be vigilant against such scams. ICC can help set your business up with key defenses to protect you and your data from scammers. We’ll put a comprehensive plan together that includes network security, email security and quality control reviews. Contact us to get started.
May 9, 2025
With evolving AI-powered tools, scammers are targeting hopeful romantics with new levels of deception. It has become very easy to create convincing false identities and conversations to lure people into fraudulent relationships. A recent high-profile scam resulted in a woman losing $855k when she thought she was in a romantic relationship with actor Brad Pitt! The results can be devastating and can leave victims financially and psychologically drained. Here are some ways scammers are using AI to fuel romance scams and how you can protect yourself.
- AI-Generated Identities: AI can help scammers not only simulate existing personas but also create completely fictitious identities to post on social media and share with their victims. This can make it even harder to tell whether a person is real or not.
- Chatbots and Language Models: Chatbots can carry on engaging conversations that can be persuasively real to the person on the other end. AI can craft messages that seem authentic, even tailoring their messages to their victim, luring the victim in to become emotionally invested.
- Deepfake Videos and Voice Cloning: To make their false identities more convincing, romance scammers are using AI-generated video and voice cloning. Scammers can send their victims video messages and even phone calls to look like they are communicating in real time.
Romance scams can lead to financial loss and emotional distress from feeling betrayed by someone you came to trust. Here are some precautions you can take to prevent yourself from becoming a victim.
- Verify Identities: Use reverse image searches, whenever possible, and check their social media profiles.
- Be suspicious of fast relationships: Scammers may often push for the relationship to move quickly, often with love-bombing tactics.
- Do not send money: No matter how believable a story might sound never give someone you don’t know well money.
- Proceed with caution: Trust your instincts. If a voice message sounds pre-scripted it could be an indication of AI.
AI has made romance scams more sophisticated and harder to detect. Vigilance is the best defense. There’s no place for AI when it comes to love and relationships. Love is about trust and authenticity. Visit here and here to learn about other AI scams that are becoming increasingly common.
April 15, 2025
Spring is just about here! That’s usually most people’s cue to start deep cleaning their homes.
Use this time to also deep clean and declutter your digital spaces. Just the way clutter piles up in closets, digital junk accumulates on devices, affecting performance and security. Freshening up your digital devices will lead to a safer, cleaner digital environment that will help keep your identity and information safe. Here are a few ways to start.
Having a large number of files, apps and downloads can significantly slow down your devices. Delete any unused apps. Remember that app you downloaded on your phone for your trip to France? Well, you no longer need it so delete it. If you haven’t used an app in six months, best to uninstall it. And while you’re at it, delete duplicate or unwanted photos. Clear your computer’s desktop by sorting files into folders. Back up important documents to a cloud storage or an external hard drive. Don’t forget to empty the trash can to free up space too.
This one deserves its own tip because it can be the most time-consuming. Go through your inbox and either archive, file or delete emails. While you’re at it, unsubscribe to any e-newsletters and promotional subscriptions you no longer want.
Outdated software is a security risk so make sure to install any updates. Software updates provide critical security patches and improve operating efficiency with new features. Update any weak passwords or change ones you’ve been using for a while.
It’s also important to clean the outside of devices. Use compressed air and disinfectant wipes to clean your keyboard and mouse. You don’t want dust to collect beneath the keys. Clean the screen with a microfiber cloth and screen-safe cleaner. Paper towels or window cleaner can be too abrasive for the screen. Also make sure to dust all chords and connections.
Spring into action with these maintenance tips. You can find more ideas on our blog here. ICC can assist in executing these, and other IT maintenance needs, to keep your entire operating system in order and running smoothly. Contact us to get started.
April 4, 2025
A cyberattack is any attempt to steal sensitive data or disrupt computer operations. Scanners are making it easier for cybercriminals to identify businesses with vulnerabilities to find their next targets. Advanced planning is important for mitigating risks to your business and ensuring operations can continue if an attack were to happen. Here are some tips to prepare for the unexpected and help your business move on from a cyberattack.
Conduct regular backups: Consistently backup critical data, storing it on-site and off-site if possible. Your IT team should also test your backup system to make sure it is functioning properly, and that the backup data is accessible.
Secure remote work environments: With more people working outside the office, it’s more important than ever to ensure those employees are securely accessing your system. They should be using virtual private networks (VPNs), keeping up with software updates and using strong passwords.
Secure internal networks: Reinforcing internal networks can help limit access points for attackers. We recommend regularly updating firewalls and monitoring your system for any unusual activity. You may also want to consider encrypting sensitive information and securing routers with passwords.
Consider cyber liability insurance: If it’s within your budget, consider obtaining cyber liability insurance. It can help with the costs associated with an attack, including legal fees, attack investigation and customer notification costs.
Establish a comprehensive incident response plan: An incident response plan outlines the steps your IT and management teams should take during and after a cyberattack. The plan should include communication protocols and immediate actions that should be taken to prevent further damage from spreading. To learn more about what an incident response plan entails, visit Steps to Creating an Incident Response Plan.
ICC can help you develop a comprehensive incident response plan, as well as advise on other security tactics to protect your data and business. If you are missing one element of cyber defense, you could be putting your business at risk. Contact us to get started.
Looking for more security tips for your business? Checkout The Importance of Regular IT Audits, The Impact of Cloud Computing on Cybersecurity and The Importance of Website Security.
March 19, 2025
If you’ve come across a video reporting on a story that seemed suspiciously untrue, your instinct may have been right. Deepfake technology makes it possible to create hyper-realistic audio and video by mimicking a person’s voice, facial expressions and even gestures, but they are entirely fake. With advanced capabilities to manipulate audio and video, it’s sometimes very hard to know what’s real and what’s not.
Deepfake Threats
Deepfakes have become a serious risk for everyone. They can be crafted in seconds to spread misinformation, especially in the political sphere, or ruin a person’s reputation by making it look like they said or did something they never actually did. Deepfakes are also being used to impersonate high-level executives to steal financial information from businesses. Employees are tricked into transferring money, thinking they are following a CEO’s request.
How to Detect and Defend Against Deepfakes
Detecting deepfakes has become more difficult, but there are still tactics your business can use that will help identify a fake video or audio.
As AI-generated deepfake technology continues to evolve, you must defend your business with strategies and tools to protect it from potential dangers. ICC can help put a comprehensive plan in place to help your staff stay informed and implement the right tools to better protect your business from AI-generated threats. Contact us to schedule a consultation.
March 13, 2025
Cloud computing is emerging as an essential piece of a company’s digital operations. It offers businesses the scalability and efficiency to help their operations thrive. There are many factors to consider when choosing a cloud solution for your business. You need to consider your business goals, budget, data sensitivity and what kind of workloads you have. However, understanding which solution best fits your business can be daunting. Here’s a look at the different types of cloud solutions to help you assess if it’s the right one for your business.
Public Cloud
This is a service provided by third-party vendors that delivers computing resources over the internet. Examples include Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud. Public cloud services are ideal for startups and smaller companies because of its pay-as-you-go pricing and ease of use. However, its public, shared infrastructure does bring some security concerns so extra attention should be given to setting up safety measures.
Private Cloud
This cloud solution is dedicated and tailored to your business only, either hosted on-site or by a third-party provider. It offers a much more secure environment that is only accessible to authorized employees. This is much more ideal for industries like finance and healthcare that need to adhere to strict compliance standards. Keep in mind that setting up your business with a private cloud will most likely mean higher set-up costs and ongoing maintenance expenses.
Hybrid Cloud
This is a combination of the public and private cloud environments that work together to give you benefits from both platforms. Businesses are able to keep sensitive data on a private cloud while using a public cloud for non-sensitive data. The biggest benefit to using the hybrid cloud is its flexibility. It lets businesses choose the best option for different data and applications. If your company chooses this route, using a hybrid cloud does require a skilled IT Team to manage it.
Multi-Cloud
Just as it sounds, multi-cloud uses services from different providers. Businesses aren’t committed to one single provider and can choose the best and most cost-effective cloud solution based on the needs of each workload. Multi-cloud usage can also provide enhanced security. If a security breach were to happen, multi-cloud users can quickly transfer data to another provider or backup to a private cloud.
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all option when it comes to choosing the right cloud solution for your business. Take advantage of ICC’s Cloud Services. ICC can help assess your needs and create a tailored strategy that aligns with your workflow and business goals. The right cloud solution can help increase efficiency and enhance data security. Contact us to learn more.
February 20, 2025
Most of us are pretty familiar with phishing attacks, a cybercrime in which scammers attempt to obtain your personal information often through deceptive emails. Such emails used to be easy to detect, with misspellings, or coming from unusual website addresses. However, with the rise of AI, email scams are becoming more sophisticated and much harder to detect. Here are some ways cyber criminals are using AI to deceive us and what your business can do to protect itself.
Deepfake Technology
AI-generated deepfake technology isn’t only used for video and audio; it’s also used to mimic a person’s writing style. For instance, scammers might use AI to impersonate a colleague or CEO using company jargon or company details to make it seem credible. The fake message often includes a request for an urgent payment or sensitive personal information.
Spear Phishing Attacks
Spear phishing takes traditional phishing to a deeper, more personalized level. Email scammers use AI tools to collect information from places like social media profiles and public databases. This allows them to tailor emails by personalizing them with specific details like a person’s job title or referencing recent activities. The personalization makes the email seem legitimate and increases the likelihood that the recipient will fall for the scam.
Lengthier Text
Cybercriminals are boosting their efforts by really taking into account everything that can help make an email look credible. That includes the length of the email. An email recipient might be suspicious of a short email asking for payment without much of an explanation. But additional copy offering more context and explanation will make the email seem more legitimate and make it more difficult to ignore.
Defend Your Business Against AI-Powered Email Scams
AI has significantly raised the stakes in the fight against email scams, making them more convincing and harder to detect. ICC can equip you with the tools you need to defend your business against cyber threats. We’ll put a comprehensive plan in place that includes network security, email security, and quality control reviews. Contact us to get started with a consultation.
February 6, 2025
Are you confident that you have sufficient protection in place to protect your business against cyber threats? Do you know if your business complies with security regulations? If you’re not sure, you should conduct an IT audit. An IT audit isa thorough evaluation of your company’s tech system, company policies and management. The start of the year is a good time to conduct an IT audit and then make it a regular practice to keep your company’s IT infrastructure safe and in compliance with regulatory standards.
· Finds Any Security Vulnerabilities: Regular audits can identify outdated software, misconfigured systems and other vulnerabilities that would put your company data at risk.
· Maintains Regulatory Compliance: Industries such as healthcare, finance, and retail have strict data protection regulations like HIPAA, PCI DSS, and GDPR. An IT audit will make sure your company meets those requirements, avoiding large fines and any damage to your company’s reputation.
· Improves Efficiency and Savings: An IT audit may reveal where processes can be streamlined or automated, helping to boost productivity and ultimately save money.
· Check Security Measures: Are firewalls and antivirus software up to date? Are data encryption standards being met? Regularly reviewing these elements ensures they’re effective against emerging threats.
· Examine Access Privileges: Unauthorized access is a common cause of data breaches. Review user permissions to ensure that employees have access only to the information needed for their roles.
· Review Incident Response Plan: An incident response plan ensures your company knows the steps to take if a cyberattack were to happen. It can help limit the damage and recover more efficiently from a security incident.
· Test Backup and Recovery Systems: Data loss can be catastrophic for any business. Ensure your backup systems are functioning correctly and that recovery protocols are tested regularly to minimize downtime during a disaster.
Regular IT audits are more than a precaution; they’re essential to a strong cybersecurity defense. Having a reliable IT partner like ICC can help you implement a comprehensive audit to assess all your company’s security and compliance measures. We’ll also make recommendations on optimizing IT procedures. If you are missing one piece in your line of defense, you may be putting your business at risk. Contact us to get started with a consultation.
January 24, 2025
