McAfee, has shared its insights on the potential challenges consumers may encounter in 2024. As cybercriminals increasingly leverage advanced AI technology, the following predictions highlight key areas of concern:
Rise of AI Scams on Social Media
Heading into 2024, cybercriminals are set to manipulate social media using powerful AI tools. These tools enable the fabrication of convincing photos, videos, and audio, becoming social media goldmines.
Prepare for cybercrooks to exploit celebrity and influencer identities, endorsing scams and turning local online platforms into hotspots for AI-driven trickery.
Deepfake Technology and the Surge in Cyberbullying
One concerning trend for 2024 is the dark turn that cyberbullying may take with the aid of deepfake technology. Young adults can easily access and use this advanced tool to create disturbingly realistic fake content, harming the privacy, identity, and well-being of victims.
Beyond spreading rumors, cyberbullies can manipulate public images and repost fabricated explicit versions, intensifying the harm inflicted on kids and their families.
Charity Fraud on the Rise
2024 is likely to witness a surge in charity fraud, preying on caring consumers’ emotions. Scammers exploit empathy, fear, and grief by setting up fake charity sites or falsified pages to trick contributors into supporting seemingly legitimate causes. Particularly concerning are scams related to highly visible conflicts and humanitarian crises.
AI Accelerates Malware and Scam Creation
While AI has positive applications, it poses a growing threat in the hands of cybercriminals. The rapid development of advanced malware, malicious websites, and convincing phishing and smishing emails is facilitated by AI. Mobile devices will be increasingly targeted as the barrier to entry for these threats lowers, with a focus on voice and visual cloning scams.
Olympic Games Breeding Ground for Scams
Cybercriminals excel at capitalizing on significant events, and the global excitement around the 2024 Olympic Games provides a prime opportunity for scams.
Scammers will exploit consumer enthusiasm by targeting fans eager to buy tickets, book travel, access exclusive content, and participate in giveaways. Vigilance is crucial to prevent the compromise of personal information and payment details during this high-profile event.
Commenting on the predictions, Steve Grobman, Chief Technology Officer, McAfee, said:
As AI lowers the barrier to cybercrime, ushering in a new era of AI-powered cyberthreats, scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and challenging to discern from legitimate messages and sites. From phishing emails so convincing that even experts struggle to distinguish fact from fiction to deepfakes with potential impacts on our children’s future and beyond, it is crucial for people to be well-informed about the evolving threat landscape. McAfee remains dedicated to continuous innovation, striving to enhance privacy, protect identity and personal information, and prioritize truth, trust, and transparency in your online experience. Our commitment aims to make online interactions more enjoyable and secure for everyone.