Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming cybercrime. Sophisticated attacks used to take skilled hackers months to plan and prepare. Today, they can be automated and executed easily in minutes.
Traditional attacks used crude spray-and-pray tactics. By contrast, AI-powered attacks identify targets carefully, calculate optimal strike times, and adjust their approach to ensure maximum impact.
Some reports say 40% of business email compromise (BEC) messages are now generated using AI. This represents a major shift in how digital crimes are committed, and businesses must adapt their defences.
How AI helps hackers launch faster and more sophisticated attacks
Cybercriminals use three key capabilities of AI:
- Automation to launch thousands of attacks simultaneously.
- Adaptation to modify their tactics in real time to get around defences, learning from failed attacks to increase their chances of success next time.
- Unprecedented scale to target millions of potential victims.
Automated vulnerability scanning
AI systems can scan millions of code lines across GitHub repositories, software updates, and system configurations to detect unpatched vulnerabilities and zero-day exploits far faster than before.
Speed and scale
Cybercriminals train AI models to penetrate firewalls, endpoint protection, and intrusion detection systems, testing thousands of variations to find ways in.
They can also attack at scale. Human hackers might attempt dozens of attacks daily, whereas AI systems can launch millions.
Indicators of AI-driven attacks include:
- Unusually rapid attack variations.
- Perfectly timed strikes during off-hours.
- Simultaneous multi-vector approaches.
- Adaptive responses to defensive measures.
Sleeper threats
AI can learn how a system behaves to create advanced persistent threats (APTs) or sleeper threats. These can remain undetected for months, gathering intelligence and waiting for the most damaging moment to strike.
Democratisation of sophisticated attacks
With AI, low-skilled criminals can launch enterprise-grade attacks. Cybercrime has never been easier, and the potential impact has never been higher.
Types of AI cyberattacks and AI-powered hacking
Automated phishing: The personal touch at scale
Cybercriminals use AI to create highly personalised and convincing phishing messages.
For example, they can reference the victim’s recent purchases, or projects, or personal stories. They can also mimic the writing style of someone they know. As a result, click rates can be up to 40% higher than traditional phishing attacks.
AI-enhanced malware: Shape-shifting threats
Today’s malware is polymorphic. Using machine learning, it can study its target environment and modify its code to evade detection. By continuously changing its signatures, it can sidestep traditional antivirus solutions.
Some infostealer malware uses AI to identify the most valuable data to steal and the best time to steal it.
Deepfake scams: When seeing isn’t believing
Cybercriminals are using deepfake audio and video to impersonate people. For example, senior executives, IT personnel, or important clients or partners.
For example, in 2024 the CEO of WPP, the world’s largest advertising agency, warned the firm’s leadership to be on their guard after scammers impersonated him in a fake video call.
Building a cyber security strategy for the AI age
Start with these critical steps:
- Deploy AI-enhanced security tools that can match the speed and adaptability of AI attacks.
- Train employees to be aware of the risks and recognise AI-generated content and deepfakes.
- Regular security assessments that test for AI-attack vulnerabilities.
- Develop incident response plans that account for AI-speed attacks.
- Implement continuous credential monitoring to detect compromised accounts before they’re exploited. Cybercheck provides real-time. Our solution’s continuous monitoring and real-time alerts help you to detect and respond to threats before they escalate.
With vigilance, the right tools, and a culture of security awareness, you can protect your business, your customers, and your reputation.
