Can we talk about ransomware attacks for a minute? This is where your business’s data is held hostage until you pay a ransom fee (hence the name).
According to a new report, the number of reported ransomware attacks has doubled since last year. But it gets worse.
The culprit behind this alarming surge? None other than artificial intelligence (AI). That’s right, the same technology that’s revolutionising everything from healthcare to self-driving cars is also turbocharging ransomware attacks. And it’s not just any old AI – it’s generative AI, which reduces the skill needed to launch an attack.
Imagine a phishing email so well-written that even the most switched on member of your staff might mistake it for a legitimate message. Gone are the tell-tale signs of poor grammar and spelling that once tipped us off to these scams. These attacks are more convincing than ever before.
The sectors hit hardest by this rise in attacks are healthcare, education, and infrastructure. In fact, attacks in these areas have more than quadrupled since 2021. Why? Because they’re often resource-constrained and an attack can have immediate and severe impacts, increasing the likelihood that the ransom will be paid.
But you must remember any business can fall victim to a ransomware attack or any other type of cyber crime.
It means that as our world becomes increasingly digitised, the threats we face are evolving at an alarming pace. We must all remain vigilant, keep our security measures up-to-date, and never underestimate the power of AI – for better or for worse.
How does this make you feel about your business’s cyber security?
#ransomware #CyberCrime #AI
https://cybernews.com/news/ai-fuels-ransomware/