AI is giving hackers an edge. Here’s how to protect yourself from online scams

Just last week, OpenAI and Anthropic revealed that their AI agents accessed the internet during testing and hacked into other companies’ systems. Although customer-facing data wasn’t breached, the incidents raised fresh concerns over cybersecurity.

AI is growing more accessible, inexpensive and effective for pulling off attacks, said Chris Whyte, a professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. A deepfake can replicate faces or voices as well as videos or images depicting events that never happened.

What Happened

Some deepfakes can even be used in Teams and Zoom meetings, Whyte said. Face filters can be advanced, but images may break if a scammer turns their head or is asked to stand and spin around, Whyte said.

• By: Auzinea Bacon Posted and last updated Cybercriminals are increasingly using artificial intelligence to target people: Americans lost more than $893 million from AI-related crimes last year, according to the FBI.

• Roughly 12% of US scam victims last year said the hoax they fell for involved AI or a deepfake, according to a Gallup report.

• Scams may also involve deepfakes of celebrities, CEOs and trusted figures, according to the FBI, which creates “fraudulent, high-stakes opportunities.” Last year, victims reportedly lost more than $632 million to investment scams involving AI.

Key Details

He recommended asking potential scammers to move on camera if possible. If the person or video recording requests money or account access, experts recommend first verifying the request with the person or organization through a known contact.

• Victims claimed over $5 million in fraud losses due to distress scams last year, according to the FBI.

• Just a few seconds of audio can be used to create as much as an 85% voice match using AI, according to Whyte.

• And people accurately decipher an automated voice just 60% of the time, he said.

Why It Matters

AI-trained voices may be used for distress scams, such as posing as a loved one asking for money or creating real-time pressure, according to Laurel Cook, a marketing professor and digital well-being researcher at West Virginia University. She suggests establishing ways to.

• While AI detection software has been recommended for spotting scams, experts warn they’re not always foolproof.

• Social media platforms like Instagram may also have security settings to review devices that have access to your account.

What Reports Say

Coverage of the story so far points to:

• Continued reporting by Scripps News as more details emerge