McAfee’s predictions for 2025 highlight emerging threats that consumers may encounter as cybercriminals exploit advanced AI technology. From hyper-realistic deepfakes and live video scams to AI-driven phishing, smishing, and malware attacks, these predictions reveal how cybercriminals are using AI-powered tools to craft increasingly sophisticated and personalized cyber scams.
As AI continues to mature and become increasingly accessible, cybercriminals are using it to create scams that are more convincing, personalized, and harder to detect,” said Abhishek Karnik, Head of Threat Research, McAfee. “From deepfakes that blur the line between real and fake to AI-driven text message, email, social, and live video scams, the risks to trust and safety online have never been greater.”
Scammers are using artificial intelligence to create highly realistic fake videos or audio recordings that pretend to be authentic content from real people. As deepfake technology becomes more accessible and affordable, even people with no prior experience can produce convincing content. With easy-to-use AI tools and accessible tutorials, scammers are finding it easier than ever to manipulate trust and deceive people in digital interactions..
AI is giving cybercriminals the ability to easily create more personalized and convincing emails and messages that look like they’re from trusted sources, such as banks, employers, or even family members. They can craft these scams quickly and with precision, making them more difficult to detect and increasing their success rate. As AI tools become more accessible, these types of attacks are expected to grow in sophistication and frequency.
Hidden dangers in your pocket
Scammers are increasingly embedding harmful software into apps that appear legitimate, often targeting apps downloaded from unofficial sources. With the growing reliance on mobile apps, the opportunities for exploitation are growing rapidly. These malicious apps can disguise themselves as harmless tools, games, or even productivity aids, making it easier for hackers to trick unsuspecting consumers.
As cryptocurrency values climb and hype around the alternative currency increases, scammers are zeroing in on consumers’ digital wallets with fake investment schemes, phishing attacks, and malware designed to steal wallet keys, sell bogus crypto investments, or “pump and dump” – when scammers trick others into buying a cryptocurrency by hyping it up to inflate its price and then sell their shares for a profit when the price is high – causing the value to crash and leaving other investors with worthless assets.
The decentralized nature of cryptocurrency, while appealing to users, also makes it nearly impossible to recover stolen funds, further enticing cybercriminals to exploit this space. With new malware capable of intercepting transactions or using AI to target victims more effectively, these scams are expected to grow in sophistication.
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Source: https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2024/12/24/cybercriminals-ai-scams/
