4 AI-powered cyber threats and why AI cybersecurity is the most effective response

By Gcore

December 17, 2024

4 min read

4 AI-powered cyber threats and why AI cybersecurity is the most effective response

AI is shaping every aspect of our digital lives, including cybersecurity. What was once a field dominated by human ingenuity and manual processes has now become a battleground of algorithms and machine learning systems. The transformative power of AI is undeniable, but it comes with a paradox: it’s both a shield and a weapon.

As 2025 unfolds, cyber threats and defenses are escalating in sophistication, with AI driving innovations on both sides. This article explores four ways that attackers are leveraging AI to launch advanced cyberattacks and how security professionals are using the same technology to counter these threats effectively.

4 AI-powered cyber threats on the rise

The potential of AI to cause harm mainly lies in its capability to make traditional attack methods faster, more efficient, and harder to detect. Four of the most popular kinds of AI-driven threats shaping the current face of cybersecurity are automated phishing campaigns, social engineering, zero-day exploits, and deepfake attacks. Let’s look at them in detail.

1. Automated phishing campaigns

Phishing has always been the foundation of online criminal activities for decades. It was also the most reported kind of cybercrime last year, with nearly 300,000 FBI complaints accounting for about 34% of all reported cybercrimes. Traditional phishing relies on sending generic emails in bulk, hoping a fraction of recipients will fall for the bait.

AI changes the game entirely. With the use of NLP, attackers study linguistic patterns, formats of company emails, and social media profiles of individuals to create very personalized phishing messages. AI tools can even emulate the writing styles of CEOs or colleagues, making such emails sound highly convincing. AI-powered phishing systems can improve by failing: once a tactic doesn’t pay off, the system refines the approach and tries again. This iterative process makes phishing campaigns more successful over time.

2. AI-enhanced social engineering

While social engineering has been based on the exploitation of human psychology for a long time, with AI, the tactics have become more sophisticated and widespread. By analyzing vast amounts of data from social media, online forums, and leaked databases, AI lets attackers build detailed psychological profiles of their targets.

Imagine someone calling you, stating your last vacation, naming your pet, and even timing their call to your next meeting. AI makes these manipulative interactions alarmingly personal to create a false sense of trust.

These tactics are not only a danger to individuals but also to organizations, where attackers manipulate employees who have access to sensitive information with the help of AI. One example is AI-driven voice cloning, which has been used to impersonate executives to sanction fraudulent transactions, successfully bypassing security measures that were in place.

3. Zero-day exploits and AI-generated malware

AI is reshaping the cybersecurity threat landscape by automating tasks that once required significant human expertise and time. In the case of zero-day exploits—vulnerabilities in software that developers aren’t aware of—AI can rapidly analyze massive codebases to identify weaknesses before they’re patched. This accelerates the timeline for attackers, reducing the window of safety for organizations.

Malware development has also evolved with AI-driven automation. A key example is polymorphic malware, which constantly changes its structure to evade traditional detection methods like signature-based antivirus systems. While older malware could be recognized by its digital fingerprint, polymorphic malware morphs frequently, making it harder for defenses to keep up.

4. Deepfake attacks

Deepfake technology leverages AI to create realistic but fabricated audio and video content. While it has legitimate uses in, for example, entertainment and education, it also introduces significant security risks by enabling convincing impersonations and disinformation campaigns.

Attackers can use deepfakes to impersonate key individuals in video or audio calls, facilitating fraud, corporate espionage, or spreading false information. For instance, a fake executive could authorize a fraudulent wire transfer or deliver false statements, causing financial or reputational damage. Or deepfakes could simulate a company spokesperson announcing fake news, triggering market instability or harming investor confidence.

AI as a cybersecurity ally: fighting fire with fire

To counter sophisticated AI-powered threats, the best defense is one that also involves AI. AI-powered cybersecurity solutions are faster, more accurate, and more adaptive than their predecessors. Predictive threat detection, real-time defense, and endpoint security are three powerful AI tools to counter the threats mentioned above.

Predictive threat detection

Unlike traditional systems, which depend on predefined rules, AI detects behavioral patterns. This makes it difficult for attackers to exploit static defenses.

For example, AI can analyze network traffic and identify abnormal behavior that could be the precursor to an attack. Using machine learning models, these solutions use historical data to predict potential threats before they happen.

Real-time defense

AI reacts instantly, giving it an upper hand over human-led defenses. Upon identifying any malicious activity, an AI system can automatically release deployment mechanisms like isolating affected devices or blocking malicious activities.

This is particularly important when trying to prevent AI-driven zero-day exploits before they cause serious harm. AI-driven zero-day exploits can spread rapidly due to their automated nature. Traditional security responses rely on human detection and intervention, which can be slow, leaving systems exposed. Since zero-day exploits target previously unknown vulnerabilities, there are no pre-existing patches or defenses. AI-powered defenses, however, can recognize unusual patterns of behavior in real time, even if the specific exploit is unknown. This speed and adaptability are crucial when dealing with zero-day exploits, where time is the most critical factor.

Endpoint security

AI-powered cyberattacks on laptops, smartphones, and IoT devices include personalized phishing, adaptive malware, and deepfake-based authentication bypasses. These attacks exploit device vulnerabilities, automate data theft, and enable network intrusions faster than traditional methods.

AI-powered endpoint detection and response tools monitor these devices continuously for any form of suspicious activity. AI can flag unusual behavior, like a device accessing sensitive files at odd hours or connecting to an unknown IP address. By detecting these vulnerabilities early, AI will be able to neutralize the threat before it has time to spread.

Best practices for leveraging AI in cybersecurity

To fully harness AI while minimizing risks, organizations should:

Keep the AI models current: It’s important to make sure your AI model, through constant updating, uses state-of-the-art threat intelligence technology; otherwise, its effectiveness is compromised as the attack vectors keep changing with time.
Embed AI into existing tool sets: Integration of AI with encryption and multi-factor authentication, among other security means, forms a strong multi-layered defense.
Embrace transparency: Invest in explainable AI systems where the security teams understand and trust the decisions taken by the AI.
Collaborate and share intelligence: Sharing AI insights across sectors will improve collective resilience to new emerging threats.

Embrace AI-powered cybersecurity to stay ahead of attackers

AI is changing the face of cybersecurity, empowering both attackers and defenders. Organizations must take concrete action to adopt AI-driven strategies or risk breaches by a new generation of AI cyber threats.

Gcore Edge Security uses AI to protect businesses from zero-day vulnerabilities, advanced malware, and other emerging threats. Gcore helps organizations stay one step ahead of attackers by combining real-time threat detection with predictive analytics.

Get AI-powered WAAP with Gcore

7 outdated cybersecurity tips … and what to do instead

With the rise of cyberattack methods such as zero-day attacks, phishing attempts, and ransomware threats, it can be a challenge to keep your digital assets secure. While there’s much you can do to implement cybersecurity solutions, businesses should also consider an element of security that’s harder to control: the human factor. Sometimes, hackers are unable to bypass robust security measures, so they try to “phish” their way into an organization’s infrastructure by taking advantage of employees’ trust or lack of knowledge.If security isn’t part of their day-to-day role, it’s easy for people to get behind on best practices or rely on outdated training from their onboarding, which could be years ago. To help protect your business from the “people risk”, here’s a quick guide highlighting seven commonly believed but outdated practices—along with suggestions for what to do instead.#1 You should change your passwords regularlyWe’ve long been told to change our passwords regularly. However, in some cases, this advice may actually do more harm than good. If a user changes their passwords often, they may be more likely to write them down so they don’t forget them. This is especially true now that employees are working from home more and businesses have less oversight of how sensitive information is managed.In addition, the requirement to change passwords every 90 days can be a waste of time. If hackers can figure out the old password, it’s likely they can figure out the new one. Moreover, AI now gives hackers even more advanced tools to crack passwords in a matter of hours, no matter whether the password was changed yesterday or last year.Passwords are vulnerable to theft in a data leak, and since people might be using the same password in multiple places—both at work and at home—this creates security gaps that businesses have no control over.What to do instead: Consider adopting passwordless authentication, which uses factors like biometrics or hardware tokens for authentication. If passwordless methods are not an option, combining passwords with multi-factor authentication (MFA) strengthens security by adding an extra layer of protection. Identity Threat Protection and Response (ITDR) solutions can detect anomalies in user behavior analytics and check that passwords are not part of known leaks or prohibited patterns, further strengthening protection.#2 If an email attachment is encrypted, it’s automatically safeJust because an email attachment is encrypted doesn’t automatically make it secure. Cybercriminals increasingly use sophisticated phishing techniques to distribute malware, even in encrypted attachments. Employees can be easily fooled into thinking something is legitimate when it isn’t.Many organizations tag external emails with labels like [EXTERNAL] or “This email comes from outside the organization” to warn employees of potential risks. Over time, people tend to ignore the tag or overlook the fact that it is in a different place than usual (not in the subject but in the message body, for example). ATO (account takeover attacks)—in which cybercriminals gain unauthorized access to a legitimate user’s account, often through phishing or stolen credentials— are often designed to bypass such security measures.What to do instead: Encourage employees to interrogate emails that they weren’t expecting or where they cannot confidently verify the authenticity of the sender’s email address.While the vast majority of companies will have implemented email filtering software that flags suspicious attachments and links, there is always the risk that a sophisticated scammer will get through. This means that businesses need to guarantee that employees know that just because an attachment is encrypted, that doesn’t mean it’s safe.#3 If a website starts with HTTPS, that means you can trust itIn the past, users trusted that HTTPS and a padlock in a browser meant a website was secure. However, advances in cyber criminality mean this assumption is no longer safe.While HTTPS, which shows a website has an SSL certificate and uses TLS encryption, encrypts the data between your browser and the site, it doesn’t mean the website is secure. Cybercriminals can still create malicious sites with HTTPS encryption. While this may have been a sign of safety years ago, it can no longer be relied on.What to do instead: Since a website cannot be verified solely based on its HTTPS status, companies can encourage employees to use dedicated tools to check URLs or contact their technical team for validation. In addition, employees should never input sensitive information unless they are sure the site is legitimate. Fake websites with a URL containing one or two letters different from the original are another tactic to watch out for.#4 Clicking on a suspicious link will always trigger malwareWhile people are right to be suspicious about clicking on links they’re not sure about, if they do so, it doesn’t automatically mean that their computer has been hacked. However, that doesn’t mean it’s safe to click recklessly. Cybercriminals now use tactics like fake calendar invites, which can look very convincing.What to do instead: Educate employees on how to spot suspicious links and phishing attempts. Encourage them to hover over links to check their legitimacy before clicking. Businesses can also implement web filtering tools to block known malicious sites.#5 Never use public WiFiConnecting to public WiFi should be done cautiously, but sometimes, there is no other option, particularly if an employee is traveling. The risk of someone intercepting your data over public WiFi is similar to the risk of interception on a GSM (mobile) network. Intercepting mobile or WiFi network traffic requires specialized, expensive tools, making it a complex and resource-intensive attack method. Using public WiFi is often necessary but should be used with caution. Businesses should also ensure that their guest WiFi is secure for visitors to their organization.What to do instead: Encourage employees to use VPNs when accessing public WiFi. A commercial VPN might not always be the safest (see point below), but a corporate VPN with strong encryption and endpoint security is a much more secure option. In addition, businesses can implement zero trust network access, which enforces strict access controls based on the principle that no one, whether inside or outside the organization, can be trusted.#6 It’s safe to use commercial VPNsUsing a commercial VPN (virtual private network) can seem like a great way to secure your internet connection, but it’s not always the best solution for businesses. Many commercial VPN services log your data and are less secure than they claim; they don’t always offer strong encryption or protection against modern threats. VPNs can store all your data, so don’t assume everything you do on a VPN is private. In some extreme cases, VPNs can also be used to install malware on a device.What to do instead: Opt for a corporate VPN that offers stronger encryption and doesn’t log user activity. Ideally, choose a VPN that integrates seamlessly with your existing security protocols, offers split tunneling, and allows for zero-trust architecture—guaranteeing data stays secure, no matter where it’s accessed from.#7 Be overly cautious and suspiciousWhile vigilance is key, an overabundance of caution can create a false sense of security and waste time. Employees should be encouraged to cultivate a healthy sense of vigilance to protect themselves and the business. Excessive fear can hinder productivity and lead to security fatigue, where employees become desensitized to warnings and ignore critical threats. For instance, the advice to log out of accounts after each use is more suited to an era of shared public computers in internet cafes than to today’s norms of personal laptop use and dedicated company devices. In fact, Microsoft recently announced it would keep users permanently logged in, along with switching to a passkey password system.Similarly, advice such as turning off your laptop camera can be helpful, but employees should be aware that these types of hacks are usually highly targeted. They only need to take serious proactive measures if they’re handling high-security information.What to do instead: Prioritize educating employees about actual risks like phishing, ransomware, and zero-day attacks, and new attack types like AI-enabled cyberattacks. By helping your team identify genuine threats, you can foster a more focused and effective security culture.Employees should also be realistic about their own personal risk. For instance, it’s more likely they will be personally targeted if they work in a sensitive industry or have access to the upper levels of a business. For instance, sophisticated zero-click exploits—where merely opening a message can cause harm to a device—tend to target high-profile people or those with access to extremely sensitive information.Protect your digital assets with GcoreCybersecurity threats evolve constantly, making it challenging to stay ahead—especially when human error is involved. That’s why having cutting-edge security technology in place is essential, making it more likely that human error won’t lead to damaging and expensive consequences. It’s also important that employees are trained to focus on real threats and understand the difference between actual risks and harmless events.At Gcore, we offer a suite of AI-driven security solutions designed to protect your assets from advanced threats, including zero-day attacks, DDoS, and more. Contact our team of experts to learn more about our WAAP and DDoS protection solutions.Download our WAAP ebook for more cybersecurity tips

4 AI-powered cyber threats and why AI cybersecurity is the most effective response