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threat report
AI Attacks AI Phishing Cyber Attacks Cyber Phishing Deepfake Phishing Phishing Attacks SEG threat report

Modern Phishing Attacks: Insights from the Egress Phishing Threat Trends Report

 

Phishing attacks have long been a significant threat in the cybersecurity landscape, but as technology evolves, so do the tactics employed by cybercriminals. The latest insights from the Egress Phishing Threat Trends Report shed light on the sophistication and evolution of these attacks, offering valuable insights into the current threat landscape. 

One notable trend highlighted in the report is the proliferation of QR code payloads in phishing emails. While QR code payloads were relatively rare in previous years, they have seen a significant increase, accounting for 12.4% of attacks in 2023 and remaining at 10.8% in 2024. This shift underscores the adaptability of cybercriminals and their ability to leverage emerging technologies to perpetrate attacks. 

In addition to QR code payloads, social engineering tactics have also become increasingly prevalent in phishing attacks. These tactics, which involve manipulating individuals into divulging sensitive information, now represent 19% of phishing attacks. 

Moreover, phishing emails have become over three times longer since 2021, likely due to the use of generative AI to craft more convincing messages. Multi-channel attacks have also emerged as a prominent threat, with platforms like Microsoft Teams and Slack being utilized as the second step in these attacks. Microsoft Teams, in particular, has experienced a significant increase in usage, with a 104.4% rise in 2024 compared to the previous year. This trend highlights the importance of securing not just email communications but also other communication channels within organizations. 

Another concerning development is the use of deepfakes in phishing attacks. These AI-generated audio and video manipulations have become increasingly sophisticated and are being used to deceive victims into disclosing sensitive information. The report predicts that the use of deepfakes in cyberattacks will continue to rise in the coming years, posing a significant challenge for defenders. Despite advancements in email security, many phishing attacks still successfully bypass Secure Email Gateways (SEGs). Obfuscation techniques, such as hijacking legitimate hyperlinks and masking phishing URLs within image attachments, are commonly used to evade detection. This highlights the need for organizations to implement robust security measures beyond traditional email filtering solutions. 

Furthermore, the report identifies millennials as the top targets for phishing attacks, receiving 37.5% of phishing emails. Industries such as finance, legal, and healthcare are among the most targeted, with individuals in accounting and finance roles receiving the highest volume of phishing emails. As cybercriminals continue to innovate and adapt their tactics, organizations must remain vigilant and proactive in their approach to cybersecurity. 

This includes implementing comprehensive security awareness training programs, leveraging advanced threat detection technologies, and regularly updating security policies and procedures. 

The Egress Phishing Threat Trends Report provides valuable insights into the evolving nature of phishing attacks and underscores the importance of a multi-layered approach to cybersecurity in today's threat landscape. By staying informed and proactive, organizations can better protect themselves against the growing threat of phishing attacks.
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Supply Chain
AI Attacks Cyber Security Cyber Security awareness digital safety Information Security Online Privacy Supply Chain

Safeguarding Your Digital Future: Navigating Cybersecurity Challenges

 

In the ever-expanding realm of technology, the omnipresence of cybercrime casts an increasingly ominous shadow. What was once relegated to the realms of imagination has become a stark reality for countless individuals and businesses worldwide. Cyber threats, evolving in sophistication and audacity, have permeated every facet of our digital existence. From cunning phishing scams impersonating trusted contacts to the debilitating effects of ransomware attacks paralyzing entire supply chains, the ramifications of cybercrime reverberate far and wide, leaving destruction and chaos in their wake. 

Perhaps one of the most alarming developments in this digital arms race is the nefarious weaponization of artificial intelligence (AI). With the advent of AI-powered attacks, malevolent actors can orchestrate campaigns of unparalleled scale and complexity. Automated processes streamline malicious activities, while the generation of deceptive content presents a formidable challenge even to the most vigilant defenders. As adversaries leverage the formidable capabilities of AI to exploit vulnerabilities and circumvent traditional security measures, the imperative for proactive cybersecurity measures becomes ever more pressing. 

In this rapidly evolving digital landscape, the adoption of robust cybersecurity measures is not merely advisable; it is indispensable. The paradigm has shifted from reactive defense mechanisms to proactive strategies aimed at cultivating a culture of awareness and preparedness. Comprehensive training and continuous education serve as the cornerstones of effective cybersecurity, empowering individuals and organizations to anticipate and counter emerging threats before they manifest. 

For businesses, the implementation of regular security training programs is essential, complemented by a nuanced understanding of AI's role in cybersecurity. By remaining abreast of the latest developments and adopting proactive measures, organizations can erect formidable barriers against malicious incursions, safeguarding their digital assets and preserving business continuity. Similarly, individuals can play a pivotal role in fortifying our collective cybersecurity posture through adherence to basic cybersecurity practices. 

From practicing stringent password hygiene to exercising discretion when sharing sensitive information online, every individual action contributes to the resilience of the digital ecosystem. However, the battle against cyber threats is not a static endeavor but an ongoing journey fraught with challenges and uncertainties. As adversaries evolve their tactics and exploit emerging technologies, so too must our defenses adapt and evolve. The pursuit of cybersecurity excellence demands perpetual vigilance, relentless innovation, and a steadfast commitment to staying one step ahead of the ever-evolving threat landscape. 

The spectrum of cybercrime looms large in our digital age, presenting an existential threat to individuals, businesses, and society at large. By embracing the principles of proactive cybersecurity, fostering a culture of vigilance, and leveraging the latest technological advancements, we can navigate the treacherous waters of the digital domain with confidence and resilience. Together, let us rise to the challenge and secure a safer, more resilient future for all.
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Nation-State Attacks
AI Attacks business risks Cyber Security Machine learning Nation-State Attacks

How to Shield Businesses from State-Sponsored AI Attacks

 

In cybersecurity, artificial intelligence is becoming more and more significant, both for good and bad. The most recent AI-based tools can help organizations better identify threats and safeguard their systems and data resources. However, hackers can also employ the technology to carry out more complex attacks. 

Hackers have a big advantage over most businesses because they can innovate more quickly than even the most productive enterprise, they can hire talent to develop new malware and test attack techniques, and they can use AI to change attack strategies in real time. 

The market for AI-based security products has also helped malicious hackers to target businesses frequently. According to a report published in July 2022 by Acumen Research and Consulting, the global market had a value of $14.9 billion in 2021 and was expected to grow to $133.8 billion by 2030.

Nation-states and hackers: A lethal combination 

Weaponized AI attacks are inevitable, according to 88% of CISOs and security executives, and for good reason. A recent Gartner survey showed that only 24% of cybersecurity teams are fully equipped to handle an AI-related attack. Nation-states and hackers are aware that many businesses are understaffed and lack the knowledge and resources necessary to defend against such attacks in the form of AI and machine learning. Only 1% of 53,760 cybersecurity applicants in Q3 2022 had AI skills. 

Major corporations are aware of the cybersecurity skills shortage and are working to address it. Microsoft, for example, is currently running a campaign to assist community colleges in expanding the industry's workforce. 

The ability of businesses to recruit and keep cybersecurity experts with AI and ML skills contrasts sharply with how quickly nation-state actors and cybercriminal gangs are expanding their AI and ML teams. According to the New York Times, the Department 121 cyberwarfare unit of the elite Reconnaissance General Bureau of the North Korean Army has about 6,800 members total, including 1,700 hackers spread across seven different units and 5,100 technical support staff. 

According to South Korea's spy agency, North Korea's elite team stole an estimated $1.2 billion in cryptocurrency and other virtual assets over the last five years, with more than half of it stolen this year alone. Since June 2022, North Korea has also weaponized open-source software in its social engineering campaigns aimed at businesses all over the world. 

North Korea's active AI and ML recruitment and training programs aim to develop new techniques and technologies that weaponize AI and ML in order to fund the country's nuclear weapons programs. 

In a recent Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) survey, nearly half of respondents (48.9%) named AI and machine learning as emerging technologies that would be most effective in countering nation-state cyberattacks on private organizations. 

Cybercriminal gangs pursue their enterprise targets with the same zeal as the North Korean Army's Department 121. Automated phishing email campaigns, malware distribution, AI-powered bots that continuously scan an enterprise's endpoints for vulnerabilities and unprotected servers, credit card fraud, insurance fraud, and generating deepfake identities are all current tools, techniques, and technologies in cybercriminal gangs' AI and ML arsenals. 

Hackers and nation-states are increasingly using this tactic to target the flaws in AI and ML models built to detect and prevent breach attempts. One of the methods used to lessen the effectiveness of AI models created to predict and prevent data exfiltration, malware delivery, and other things is data poisoning. 

How to safeguard your AI 

What can the company do to safeguard itself? The three essential actions to take right away, in the opinion of Great Learning's Akriti Galav and SEO expert Saket Gupta, are: 

  • Maintain the most stringent security procedures possible throughout the entire data environment. 
  • Make sure an audit trail is created with a log of every record related to every AI operation. 
  • Implement reliable authentication and access control. 

Additionally, businesses should pursue longer-term strategic objectives, such as creating a data protection policy specifically for AI training, educating their staff about the dangers of AI and how to spot flawed results, and continuing to operate a dynamic, forward-looking risk assessment mechanism.

No digital system, no matter how intelligent, can be 100% secure. The enterprise needs to update its security policies to reflect this new reality now rather than waiting until the damage is done because the risks associated with compromised AI are more subtle but no less serious than those associated with traditional platforms.
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