Protecting personal data online is vital. As our digital footprints grow, so do cybercriminals' methods to exploit them. Phishing used to be a simple trick to get sensitive information. In 2024, it has become a complex and sophisticated threat. Adding artificial intelligence to these deceptive tactics has made phishing harder to detect and more convincing.
“With cybercriminals using AI more often, we have had to adapt our cybersecurity awareness campaigns," says Wendy Betts, information security officer at Rotary International. "Phishing emails now appear so realistic that it is no longer enough to rely on spotting a fake logo or misspelled words. Instead, you need to ask yourself: Is this something someone would genuinely send to me?”
Phishing has evolved beyond misspelled emails and dubious URLs. The Nigerian Prince has been dethroned by something far more insidious.
“It’s dumbfounding how often major breaches costing organizations millions of dollars can be traced back to phishing and social engineering. These methods have been around for decades but they’re still the most common way breaches begin,” says Jim McDonald, co-host of the Identity at the Center Podcast
Today, cybercriminals use AI to craft personalized attacks that are harder to spot. Below are some of the most common AI-driven phishing methods in 2024:
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Spear phishing targets specific individuals or organizations. AI has enhanced this technique, allowing hackers to employ data analytics to create detailed profiles of potential victims. AI then scrapes public information from social media, professional sites and other accounts. The end result: messages virtually identical to those from trusted sources.
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