Today's digital landscape has become increasingly dangerous., with a notable increase in online scams affecting both individuals and businesses. This was recently warned by the cybersecurity company ESET, which points to a worrying shift in the strategies employed by cybercriminals.
According to ESET experts, these attacks are not only more numerous, but also more sophisticated and personalized.Criminals are leveraging the latest tools, such as artificial intelligence, to design scams that are difficult to detect even for experienced users. This warning highlights an upward trend that demands greater attention from all stakeholders in the digital ecosystem.
New, much more complex forms of digital fraud
Among the most common techniques identified by ESET are phishing, malware, and identity theft. These methods, although well-known, remain effective when presented in increasingly convincing formats. Fake emails, cloned portals, or personalized messages on social networks are among the preferred channels for these criminals.
Special mention should be made of the frauds that involve Fake promotions such as 5G phone deals or non-existent currency exchangesAttackers pretend to be well-known companies and take advantage of users' urgency and interest in getting better rates or financial terms. This type of scam has found a breeding ground in an environment of economic uncertainty, where many people are looking to optimize their resources.
One of the tools that has most boosted the effectiveness of these scams is artificial intelligence.This technology allows messages to be generated that perfectly mimic the recipient's style, achieving a level of personalization that was previously unthinkable. Even the creation of videos or audios with the realistic appearance of family members or company executives—known as deepfakes—is becoming popular as a deception tactic.
Cybercriminals no longer act in a massive and disorganized manner., but rather they craft highly curated campaigns targeted at specific user segments. These operations demonstrate a detailed understanding of consumer habits, digital behavior, and socioeconomic contexts, which increases the difficulty of identifying warning signs in time. To achieve this, it's important to learn about how to protect yourself against digital threats.
Digital education: a fundamental defense tool
One of ESET's most insistent recommendations is to train the population in good cybersecurity practices.Learning to identify suspicious messages, always verifying the origin of communications, and avoiding providing personal information without confirming its destination are essential measures to combat the increase in scams.
Specialist Carlos López RodrÃguez, training manager at ESET, points out that the key lies in everyday online behavior. "We have to assume that any interaction could be a scam attempt, so it's important to strengthen our judgment and always apply reasonable doubt before clicking or responding," he says.
Using popular messaging services like WhatsApp also requires extra attention. Many criminals use these types of apps to send malicious links or impersonate identities using modified numbersTherefore, it's important to pay attention to subtle changes in contacts and not rely solely on visual indications.
In addition to training, ESET stresses the importance of using technological measures that strengthen protectionInstalling reliable antivirus software, keeping your devices updated, and enabling two-step verification are very effective ways to prevent unauthorized access.
Cybercriminals often exploit human errors and technical failures.That is, a weak password or an unpatched system can open the door to a scam that could have been avoided with a simple review. Hence, the emphasis on ongoing prevention and investment in specific security tools.
Artificial Intelligence: A Blessing Misused by Scammers
The advancement of artificial intelligence has provided new possibilities for cybersecurity, but also for criminals.ESET focuses on how this technology is being used to create incredibly realistic hoaxes.
- Emails written in the recipient's personal style, which generates trust and reduces suspicion.
- Manipulated audios simulating family members or work bosses, used to request urgent transfers or make complex requests.
- Fake banking or e-commerce websites, which very faithfully reproduce the appearance of the originals, making their identification difficult.
These practices not only affect individual users, but also companies.Executives receiving fake payment orders, accounting departments tricked by fake messages, and employees completing "internal surveys" that turn out to be scams are some of the recently detected cases.
The worrying thing is that these attacks do not require large resources.. Access to general-purpose AI applications and certain victim information is all it takes to launch an effective offensive. This has democratized digital crime and lowered the barrier to entry for more actors to participate.
How to act after being a victim of a cyber scam
If you have already made the mistake and fallen for a digital scam, ESET recommends acting quickly to minimize the damage.. The steps to follow include:
- Bring the case to the attention of the competent authorities as soon as possible..
- Contact the providers of the affected services (bank, email, social networks) to block unauthorized access.
- Change all related passwords, even if they were not directly used during the attack.
- Avoid further use of the affected channels until we are certain that complete security has been restored.
ESET emphasizes that creating a conscious and responsible digital culture is key to reducing the impact of this type of fraud.Collaboration between users, businesses, and public entities is essential to contain a threat that respects no borders or profiles.
Cybercriminals' tactics will continue to evolve, and so must our ability to detect and respond to them. ESET's warning is not intended to cause unnecessary alarm, but rather to better prepare citizens for an increasingly challenging digital reality, where common sense—along with the right tools—remains one of the best allies against scams.