AI-Powered Phishing Attacks

How AI is Making Email Scams More Convincing

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

• Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Even if scammers obtain an employee’s login credentials, MFA adds an extra layer of security.
• Educate Employees: Regularly conduct trainings with your team on common phishing tactics.
• Use Advanced Email Filters: Many email providers offer AI-powered spam filters that can identify and block phishing emails.
• Verify Unusual Requests: If you receive an unexpected email from a colleague or boss, confirm its authenticity through another channel, like a phone call or in-person conversation.

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.