The continued spread of deepfake and AI technologies poses a serious threat, particularly in the area of phishing attacks. These technologies allow attackers to create increasingly realistic and sophisticated deceptions that render traditional detection methods, such as spelling and language errors, obsolete.
This significantly exacerbates an already existing problem and requires increased awareness of security issues. The era in which phishing attacks could be identified based on obvious linguistic discrepancies is coming to an end.
Phishing is becoming more and more linguistically perfect
Therefore, the need for comprehensive security awareness training is becoming increasingly urgent in order to develop effective countermeasures. However, despite the high quality of deepfake and AI phishing attacks, there are still signs that can indicate a fraud attempt:
- Unexpected and unusual request (you have never been asked for a service before)
- Arrival from a third-party sender email address
- arrival too an unusual time (at night or on the weekend)
- The message indicates great urgency, otherwise irreparable damage will occur
- Incorrect URL, which does not link directly to a reputable brand website
- Unpleasant Gut feeling when making the request
- More unexpected, potentially dangerous file attachment
Most often it is an unexpected, urgent request to the recipient. He's supposed to do something he's never done before. Any message with these criteria increases the risk of being involved in a scam, even if it is not a scam. Recipients must communicate the critical signs of a risky email to the relevant IT department and do so repeatedly until this process becomes standard operating procedure and part of the company culture.
Deepfakes and AI
Deepfakes and AI will make phishing scams more realistic. The old advice to look out for spelling mistakes, language problems and strange message texts still applies, but will become less important over time. It's more important than ever that users are warned about social engineering attacks and know the key phishing signs to look out for.
Although advanced defense mechanisms such as artificial intelligence can help identify and prevent social engineering attacks, ongoing user education remains key. A comprehensive security culture in companies should aim to equip employees with the necessary skills to successfully counter the ever-evolving threats of deepfake and AI phishing. This requires not only technological solutions, but also awareness and proactive involvement of all stakeholders in the company's security. (Roger Grimes, Data-Driven Defense Evangelist at KnowBe4)
More at KnowBe4.com
About KnowBe4 KnowBe4, provider of the world's largest platform for security awareness training and simulated phishing, is used by more than 60.000 companies around the world. Founded by IT and data security specialist Stu Sjouwerman, KnowBe4 helps organizations address the human element of security by raising awareness of ransomware, CEO fraud and other social engineering tactics through a new approach to security education. Kevin Mitnick, an internationally recognized cybersecurity specialist and KnowBe4's Chief Hacking Officer, helped develop the KnowBe4 training based on his well-documented social engineering tactics. Tens of thousands of organizations rely on KnowBe4 to mobilize their end users as the last line of defense.