Haunted By The Dangers Of AI? Here's What You Should Truly Be Concerned About

AI is evolving at lightning speed – transforming the way we work and do business. But while the possibilities are thrilling, there’s a darker side to this story: cyber attackers have the same powerful tools at their fingertips. Below, we’re unmasking a few of the ghouls hiding in the shadows that you should be watching out for.

Deepfake Doppelgängers Are Haunting Your Video Calls – Don’t Be Fooled By A Familiar Face

AI-crafted deepfakes have become frighteningly convincing, and cybercriminals are using them to cast a sinister spell of social engineering on unsuspecting businesses.

In one chilling example reported by a security firm, an employee at a cryptocurrency foundation joined a Zoom call, only to find themselves face-to-face with deepfaked versions of their own senior leadership. These AI-crafted imposters urged the employee to install a Zoom extension that would grant access to the microphone, opening the cryptic door for a North Korean cyber intrusion.

For businesses, these eerie new scams are flipping traditional verification methods on their heads. To unmask the fakes, keep an eye out for telltale signs like glitchy facial features, unnerving pauses, or lighting that just feels... off.

Sinister Surprises In Your Inbox – Beware The Bite Of Phishing Emails

Phishing emails have been a long-standing issue, but with attackers now leveraging AI to write them, many of the usual warning signs, like poor grammar or spelling mistakes are no longer reliable indicators of a suspicious message.

Cybercriminals are also using AI tools in their phishing kits to automatically translate emails and landing pages into multiple languages. This allows them to expand and scale their phishing campaigns more effectively across different regions.

That said, many of the standard security practices remain effective against AI-generated phishing attempts. Additional protections like multifactor authentication (MFA) significantly increase security, as attackers typically don’t have access to secondary devices like your phone. Security awareness training also continues to play a key role in lowering employee risk by helping them recognize warning signs, such as messages that create a sense of urgency.

Bone-Chilling AI Tools – More Malicious Code Than Useful Features

Attackers are capitalizing on the hype around AI to deceive users into downloading malware. It's common for threat actors to craft their lures around trending news or seasonal events, like Black Friday. So, the emergence of fake “AI video generator” sites or counterfeit AI tools laced with malware is hardly unexpected. These fraudulent tools often include just enough legitimate-looking functionality to appear credible – but beneath the surface, they’re loaded with malicious code.

For example, one TikTok account was reportedly sharing videos that claimed to show how to install “cracked software” to bypass licensing or activation for applications like ChatGPT using a PowerShell command. In truth, the account was running a malware distribution scheme, a campaign that was eventually uncovered by security researchers.

Security awareness training remains crucial for businesses. One effective way to safeguard your company is to have your MSP review and approve any new AI tools before you install them.

Ready To Hunt Down The AI Spirits Haunting Your Business?

AI threats don’t need to haunt your nights. Whether it’s deepfakes, phishing scams, or dangerous “AI tools,” attackers are evolving, but with the right protections in place, your business can stay ahead of the game.

Click here to book your free discovery call now, and let’s discuss how to shield your team from the darker side of AI... before it turns into a real nightmare.