Phishing has always been a major cybersecurity threat, but with AI, it's more dangerous than ever. It's getting more intelligent, more challenging to detect, and more frequent. A recent study found a 60% increase in AI-driven phishing attacks. Here's how AI is empowering phishing and what you can do to protect yourself.
The Evolution of Phishing
Phishing's start was simply attackers sending out mass emails and hoping someone would take the bait. These early phishing emails were often crude, used poor grammar, and obvious lies were common, making them pretty easy to spot. Unfortunately, things have changed, and attackers now use AI to help them craft much more convincing phishing attacks that target specific individuals to greatly increase their effectiveness.
How AI Enhances Phishing
Creating Realistic Messages
One of the things AI does well is analyze huge amounts of data. In the case of phishing, AI is used to study how people write (and sometimes even how they speak) and then tries to copy it to create realistic phishing messages. They attempt to mimic the tone and style of legitimate communications, which makes them harder to spot.
Spear Phishing/Personalized Attacks
Some AI can gather information from social media and other sources and then use it to create phishing attacks personalized for their target, also known as Spear Phishing. AI makes spear phishing even more dangerous by helping attackers research their targets in depth to craft highly tailored messages that are hard to distinguish from legitimate ones. Spear phishing attacks can include details about the target's life, such as their job, hobbies, or recent activities.
Automated Phishing
AI can automate many aspects of phishing, sending out thousands of phishing messages quickly. It can also adapt messages based on responses, such as if someone clicks a link but doesn't enter information, AI can send a follow-up email. Every email sent is another chance of someone falling victim to phishing.
Deepfake Technology
Deepfakes are fake videos and audio created by AI designed to trick people into believing they are real. Attackers can use deepfakes in phishing attacks to make eerily accurate impersonations. For example, they might create a fake video of a CEO asking for sensitive information. This new layer of deception makes phishing even more convincing.
How to Protect Yourself
Educate Yourself and Others
Education is key. Learn about phishing tactics, stay informed about the latest threats, and share this knowledge with others. Training is the number one way to enable people to recognize and avoid phishing attacks.
Be Skeptical
Always be skeptical of unsolicited messages, even if they appear to come from a trusted source. Verify the sender's identity before taking any other actions. Never click on links or download attachments from unknown sources.
Check for Red Flags
There are common red flags to look for that can often be found in phishing emails. These might include generic greetings, urgent language, requests for sensitive information, or offers that seem too good to be true.
Verify Requests for Sensitive Information
Never provide sensitive information via email unless you can verify the source. If you receive a request for sensitive information, verify it through a separate communication channel, such as contacting the person using a known, legitimate phone number.
Use Advanced Security Tools
Advanced security tools such as anti-phishing software and email filters can help detect and block phishing attempts by screening out suspicious messages. Additionally, make sure you keep your security software up to date with any updates.
Enable Email Authentication Protocols
Email authentication protocols like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC help protect against email spoofing. Ensure these protocols are enabled for your domain to add an extra layer of security to your emails.
Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
MFA adds an extra layer of security that protects any accounts you implement it on, since even if an attacker gets your password they'll need another form of verification to log in.
Regular Security Audits
Conduct regular security audits to identify vulnerabilities in your systems and then promptly address these vulnerabilities.
Report Phishing Attempts
Report phishing attempts to your IT team or email provider. Reporting phishing attacks helps them improve their security and protect others from similar attacks.