6 Ways that AI Has Made Phishing More Dangerous

The evolution of phishing attacks has taken a sinister turn with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI). No longer are phishing attempts limited to generic, easily identifiable messages. Instead, they are becoming increasingly sophisticated, personalized, and difficult to detect.

To combat the growing threat of AI-enhanced phishing, organizations must adopt a multi-layered approach to security. This includes implementing strong email filters, utilizing advanced threat detection tools, and educating employees about the latest phishing tactics. 

Research shows that 1 in 5 people click on AI-generated phishing emails.

Let’s look at six primary ways AI has amplified the dangers of phishing, and what you and your employees can do to combat it.

1. Hyper-Personalized Phishing Attacks

AI can analyze vast amounts of data about individuals, including social media profiles, email communication patterns, and online behavior. This information is then used to create highly personalized phishing emails that appear legitimate and are more likely to be clicked on by unsuspecting victims.

2. Automated Phishing Campaigns at Scale

AI-powered tools enable cybercriminals to automate the creation and distribution of phishing emails on a massive scale. These campaigns can target thousands of potential victims simultaneously, increasing the chances of successful attacks.

3. Evasion of Spam Filters

AI can be used to generate phishing emails that bypass traditional spam filters. By analyzing spam filter algorithms and identifying patterns, attackers can create emails that appear legitimate to these filters, increasing the likelihood of delivery to target inboxes.

4. Natural Language Proficiency

AI can generate human-quality text, making phishing emails more convincing. This includes crafting persuasive messages, mimicking writing styles, and even incorporating relevant details to evade suspicion.

5. Deepfakes: The Ultimate Impersonation

AI-powered deepfake technology can create highly realistic audio and video impersonations of individuals, including company executives or trusted contacts. These deepfakes are used in vishing (voice phishing) and video phishing attacks, making it extremely difficult for victims to discern the authenticity of the communication.

6. Continuous Learning and Adaptation

AI-powered phishing attacks are constantly evolving. Cybercriminals can use AI to analyze the success of their campaigns and make adjustments in real time, making it increasingly challenging to defend against these threats.

Protecting Yourself from AI-Powered Phishing

While the threat of AI-powered phishing is significant, it’s not insurmountable. Here are some essential steps you can take to protect yourself.

Employee Education and Training

Employees are often the first line of defense against phishing attacks. Regular education and training can help them recognize and respond appropriately to suspicious emails.

Best Practices:

• Conduct regular training sessions on the latest phishing techniques and how to identify them.
• Use simulated phishing exercises to test employees’ awareness and response.
• Encourage a culture of caution where employees feel comfortable reporting suspicious emails.

Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring multiple forms of verification before granting access, making it harder for attackers to gain unauthorized access even if they have stolen credentials.

Best Practices:

• Enable MFA for all employee accounts, especially for access to sensitive information.
• Use a combination of verification methods such as SMS codes, authenticator apps, and biometric factors.

Use Advanced Email Filtering

Advanced email filtering tools can detect and block phishing emails before they reach employees’ inboxes.

Best Practices:

• Deploy email security solutions that use machine learning to identify and filter out phishing attempts.
• Regularly update and tune email filters to adapt to new phishing tactics.
• Block emails from suspicious or known malicious domains.

Regularly Update and Patch Systems

Keeping systems up to date with the latest security patches helps close vulnerabilities that attackers might exploit.

Best Practices:

• Establish a regular schedule for updating and patching all software and systems.
• Ensure that security updates are applied promptly to reduce the window of vulnerability.
• Use automated tools to manage and deploy updates across the organization.

Implement Strong Password Policies

Strong, unique passwords reduce the risk of attackers successfully using stolen credentials in phishing attacks.

Best Practices:

• Enforce the use of complex passwords that combine letters, numbers, and special characters.
• Encourage employees to use password managers to generate and store unique passwords.
• Implement regular password changes and avoid using the same password across multiple accounts.

Monitor for Unusual Activity

Continuous monitoring can help detect suspicious behavior that might indicate a phishing attempt or a compromised account.

Best Practices:

• Use security information and event management (SIEM) systems to monitor for unusual login attempts and other anomalies.
• Set up alerts for unusual activity, such as logins from unfamiliar locations or devices.
• Investigate and respond to any flagged activity promptly to mitigate potential threats.

Secure Email Gateways

Secure email gateways provide an additional layer of protection by filtering and monitoring email traffic for threats.

Best Practices:

• Implement a secure email gateway that scans for malware, phishing attempts, and other email-based threats.
• Configure the gateway to enforce email encryption and other security policies.
• Regularly review and update gateway settings to ensure they are effective against current threats.

Need Help Improving Your Phishing Defenses? 

The key to staying safe in the era of AI-powered phishing is to remain vigilant and skeptical. If something seems suspicious, trust your instincts and take steps to verify the information before proceeding. 

It’s also vital to have email security in place that reduces the chance of phishing reaching user inboxes. We can help.

Contact Unbound Digital today to discuss email security solutions. Call 423-467-7777 or reach us online.