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As artificial intelligence (AI) technologies become more advanced, experts warn of an imminent shift in cybercrime, with AI-driven attackers becoming a major threat to global cybersecurity. According to a new report by Malwarebytes, the rise of autonomous AI agents could soon redefine the nature of cyberattacks, making them more complex.
The transformation is already underway. Since the release of ChatGPT in 2022, AI tools have empowered cybercriminals to carry out attacks with unprecedented ease and efficiency. From crafting convincing phishing emails to developing malware and even generating deepfake videos, AI is making it simpler for bad actors to exploit vulnerabilities and deceive victims.
The Malwarebytes ThreatDown report highlights several alarming trends. One notable incident in January 2024 saw a video conference populated entirely by AI-generated deepfakes of senior executives tricking an employee at global engineering firm Arup into transferring $25 million to cybercriminals. Similarly, a surge in AI-assisted phishing attacks has been documented, with some researchers reporting an eye-watering 1,265% increase in malicious phishing messages following the release of ChatGPT.
AI’s influence extends beyond just phishing. The report also points to the growing use of AI to generate fake product reviews, identity documents, and even propaganda. In 2024, the Transparency Company found that AI was behind at least 2.3 million fraudulent product reviews, while disinformation campaigns have infiltrated popular generative AI tools with Kremlin-backed content.
The future of cybercrime, however, could be even more alarming. Malwarebytes researchers predict that as AI agents become better, cybercriminals will use them to launch massive, automated attacks, such as big-game ransomware, that operate 24/7. These AI agents could deploy “swarms” of malicious bots, amplifying the scale and speed of cyberattacks in ways that would have been nearly impossible with human involvement alone.
o combat this rising threat, cybersecurity experts recommend that organizations prioritize reducing their vulnerability to attacks, implement continuous monitoring of their systems, and act swiftly on any security alerts. By taking these proactive steps, businesses can better defend themselves against the expanding wave of AI-powered cybercrime.
