Surge in AI-Powered Cybercrime Hits New High in H1 2024

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Trend Micro reports that in the first half of 2024, cybercriminals increasingly leveraged AI for malware, deepfake scams, virtual kidnapping, impersonation fraud and biometric data theft. The company blocked 75.9 billion threats, warning that AI-enabled attacks are rising and demanding adaptive, AI-aware security strategies.[AI generated]

Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?

The article explicitly mentions AI systems being used maliciously by cybercriminals to develop malware, conduct social engineering, and perpetrate scams involving deepfakes and biometric data theft. These actions have resulted in actual harms, including financial fraud and identity theft, which fall under harm to persons and communities. The AI systems' development and use by criminals are directly linked to these harms, meeting the criteria for an AI Incident rather than a hazard or complementary information. The report is not merely a warning or potential risk but documents ongoing realized harms involving AI.[AI generated]
AI principles
Privacy & data governanceRobustness & digital securitySafetyRespect of human rightsAccountabilityTransparency & explainabilityHuman wellbeing
Industries
Digital securityMedia, social platforms, and marketingFinancial and insurance servicesIT infrastructure and hosting
Affected stakeholders
ConsumersBusinessGeneral public
Harm types
Economic/PropertyPsychologicalReputationalHuman or fundamental rights
Business function:
ICT management and information security
AI system task:
Content generationInteraction support/chatbotsRecognition/object detectionOther

Articles about this incident or hazard