According to the Financial Times, as reported by Gadgets360, there's been a notable rise in phishing attacks that utilize AI technology to make them seem more human-like and slip past security measures.
Targeting Corporate Executives
These attacks primarily target high-level executives at companies such as eBay and the insurance provider Beazley. The fake emails are crafted with personal details about the employees, making them more appealing to open and click on.
Understanding Phishing
Phishing refers to deceptive emails or messages that aim to fool individuals into clicking on harmful links or downloading malware. A well-known instance of phishing is the Nigerian Prince scam, which claimed to offer a large financial reward in exchange for help.
The Complexity of AI Attacks
In contrast, these AI-driven phishing attempts appear more sophisticated. They seem to be built on extensive data regarding employees, which is gathered from social media and various other platforms, making them persuasive enough to bypass standard security systems.
According to Check Point, Microsoft has been the most frequently impersonated brand in phishing activities, constituting 38% of all brand phishing attempts in the first quarter of 2024. Following Microsoft, Google and LinkedIn each accounted for 11% of the phishing attempts.
Source: Link