AI fuels cyber fraud

BarcelonaArtificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing all spheres of our society, including cybersecurity. The use of this technology is making it increasingly... cyber scams These methods are becoming more credible, automated, and difficult to detect, as cybercriminals use them to create scams and phishing campaigns based on text, voice, or video that is virtually indistinguishable from legitimate content. "Anyone can become a victim of fraud or identity theft," warns Laura Caballero, director of the Cybersecurity Agency of Catalonia. Faced with these new threats, she argues that the best way to protect oneself is to strengthen prevention. Caballero proposes measures such as activating two-factor authentication—an identity verification system in which the user must pass two security checks before accessing an account or service—using strong passwords, and having tools to identify fraudulent messages, emails, or calls. According to data from the Cybersecurity Agency of Catalonia, 82.6% of emails with malicious links already use AI, and the agency predicts that by 2026, digital identity theft and scams based on this technology will increase.

Strengthen cybersecurity

He hijacking software, known as ransomware, It will continue to be the "main threat" to companies and organizations (such as the cyberattack suffered by the Hospital Clínic in 2023However, the agency maintains that "improved digital resilience has significantly reduced" ransom payments: only one in five victims of this type of cyberattack pays the ransom, compared to 85% in 2019. As a result, cybercriminals have increased both in number and speed. This type of cybercrime mostly begins with the theft of credentials, that is, digital passwords, a practice that doubled last year compared to 2014.

To address these cyber threats, the Cybersecurity Agency is making a record investment of over €18 million until the end of June this year to implement 27 initiatives. These measures will have a special focus on digital services and public institutions, Catalan SMEs in the ICT sector, and raising public awareness. This year, the European Union plans to strengthen security to guarantee the long-term protection of data, and the Spanish government will require companies and organizations in sectors such as healthcare, energy, transportation, and public administration to reinforce their cybersecurity. "The Catalan socioeconomic fabric must be prepared to face different cybersecurity threats, not only in terms of prevention but also in responding to these incidents to minimize their impact," says Caballero.