Cybercriminals will continue to exploit rapidly evolving artificial intelligence (AI) technology to create deepfakes and orchestrate sophisticated scams in 2024, McAfee said, outlining its predictions for the coming year.
According to McAfee, with major elections and the Olympics set for 2024, the threat of AI-driven deception and scams is palpable.
“Heading into 2024, AI will help cybercriminals manipulate social media and shape public opinion like never before,” the cybersecurity company said.
“As AI continues to lower the barrier to entry for cybercriminals and ushers in a new era of AI-powered cyberthreats, scams will become more sophisticated and difficult to distinguish from legitimate messages and sites,” Steve Grobman, McAfee’s Chief Technology Officer, said.
AI-Driven Cyber Threats
McAfee predicts cybercriminals will use AI to create new strains of malware in 2024. The cybersecurity company also expects a rise in various types of scams, like QR code scam (also known as quishing).
The upcoming 2024 Olympic Games in Paris also “presents a golden opportunity to trick people into compromising their personal information and payment details,” McAfee said. “Scammers will exploit consumer enthusiasm around the event, targeting fans who are eager to buy tickets, book travel, and participate in giveaways.”
According to McAfee, with elections set for 2024 in the U.S., India, and the European Union (parliamentary elections), ill-intentioned individuals will use AI to spread misinformation. AI-generated audio and videos could undermine the integrity of democratic processes. “”Fake news” will take on a new meaning in 2024,” McAfee warned.
Besides manipulating voters, McAfee said deepfakes will be used to sway public opinion in other ways. For example, cybercriminals will use the names and images of popular figures to endorse fake online marketplaces and other fraudulent schemes.
McAfee also expects a rise in charity fraud, especially in the wake of conflicts and humanitarian crises. Scammers will capitalize on the empathy of unsuspecting donors, setting up fake charity sites to siphon funds.
In addition to scams, McAfee said AI deepfakes would lead to a rise in cyberbullying among children. McAfee said this is one of the “most troubling trends for 2024.”
“Beyond spreading rumors, cyberbullies are now able to manipulate images available in the public domain and repost fabricated and explicit versions of those images,” the cybersecurity company said.
How to Protect Yourself From Cyber Threats in 2024
There are various ways to protect yourself from AI-driven cyber threats in the coming year. We recommend:
- Keeping all of your software updated
- Learning how to spot phishing lures and being cautious of emails, messages, or websites that ask for personal information
- Using strong, unique passwords for each account — consider using a password manager
- Enabling two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security to your online accounts, or better yet, use passkey authentication
- Educating yourself on deepfakes
- Scrutinizing your digital presence regularly, and adjusting privacy settings.
“From realistic phishing emails that even experts have trouble identifying to deepfakes that could impact everything from election results to the future of our children and beyond, it has never been more important for people to be educated about the threat landscape,” Grobman said.
Read our guide to staying safe online for more cybersecurity tips.
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