AI Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity Awareness Month begins October 1, and it’s the perfect time to get ahead of fast-moving threats shaped by artificial intelligence. Criminals are using AI to automate, personalize, and scale attacks, making scams more challenging to spot and costlier to ignore. This article explains what’s new, why it matters for your personal and business accounts, and what to do now.

 

Hyper-Real Phishing and Deepfakes

AI models now generate flawless emails, texts, and scripts that sound like real coworkers, vendors, or even loved ones. Some attackers use video and voice deepfakes to request urgent payments or credentials. Treat surprise requests for money, gift cards, wire transfers, or login codes as suspicious. Verify using a phone number you already trust or by contacting the person through a separate channel. A quick callback can stop a costly mistake.

 

Look-Alike Sites

Generative tools can spin up convincing fake websites in minutes, complete with logos and login flows that mimic banks and payroll portals. Attackers pair these pages with search ads, fake QR codes, and deceptive links that swap in nearly indistinguishable characters. Navigate to our website by typing the address yourself or using a saved bookmark. Avoid logging in from links in emails, texts, QR codes, or ads. This simple habit is one of the most effective AI cybersecurity defenses available to everyone.

 

QR-Code Phishing (Quishing)

QR codes are convenient, but attackers increasingly place counterfeits on parking meters, posters, and invoices. If scanning a code leads to a payment or login page, slow down and inspect the full URL. When possible, use the official app or type the known address instead. Businesses should audit where QR codes are used, remove unauthorized stickers, and train staff to verify URLs before entering credentials.

 

Passkeys and Security Keys

Phishing-resistant authentication offers powerful protection against AI-scaled attacks. Passkeys and hardware security keys use cryptography that can’t be tricked by a fake website. If passkeys are available for your banking and business accounts, enable them. Otherwise, turn on two-step verification with an authenticator app (not SMS) and set unique passwords stored in a reputable password manager.

 

What to Do Now: A Quick Playbook

Phishing/spoofing remained the most reported internet crime in 2024, and overall losses hit record highs. That’s a clear signal to upgrade everyday security habits and business processes, not just awareness.

 

For Everyone

• Go Direct: Type our web address or use our official app; don’t search for it or follow links from messages, QR codes, or ads.
• Turn on Alerts: Enable login, card-present, card-not-present, and large-transaction alerts in your banking app.
• Use Phishing-Resistant Sign-In: Prefer passkeys or a hardware security key wherever available; otherwise, use an authenticator app.
• Update Devices: Keep operating systems and browsers current, and enable automatic updates.
• Pause and Verify: Any urgent request to move money (especially via wire, crypto, or gift cards) deserves a second look via a trusted phone number.

 

For Businesses

• Require out-of-band verification for new or changed payment instructions.
• Use dual approval for wires and ACH; restrict who can add payees.
• Leverage positive pay/ACH filters with your bank and review exceptions daily.
• Train for Deepfakes: Set a simple “safe phrase” or callback rule for voice/video requests.
• Harden Access: Adopt passkeys or hardware security keys for finance and admin users. Enforce least-privilege access.

 

Where to Learn More

CISA’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month page offers practical, shareable resources for individuals and organizations of all sizes. Explore tips and toolkits at https://www.cisa.gov/cybersecurity-awareness-month.

 

If you suspect fraud on your accounts, contact U.S. Century Bank immediately and submit a report to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). We’ll help you secure your access, review transactions, and set up monitoring. Staying informed about AI cybersecurity trends and following a few high-impact habits can significantly reduce your risk.