The Spooky Truth About AI Threats and How to Protect Your Business

Artificial intelligence is everywhere, helping small businesses automate workflows, streamline processes, and boost productivity. 
But here’s the flip side: cybercriminals now have access to the same AI tools you do. 

That means smarter scams, more realistic impersonations, and faster attacks. And it’s already happening. 
Here’s what business owners in Washington and Oregon need to know, and how to stay one step ahead. 

1. AI-Written Phishing Emails are More Convincing Than Ever

Phishing emails used to be easy to spot with typos, poor grammar, weird formatting. Those days are gone. 

With AI tools like ChatGPT, attackers can now write professional-sounding emails that are flawless and believable. Some even use AI translation to send these messages worldwide, making large-scale phishing more efficient than ever. 

How to defend your business: 

• Enable MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication). Even if credentials are stolen, attackers can’t get in without your second factor. 
• Keep security awareness training current. Teach employees to look for urgency, tone shifts, or unusual links. 

Your people remain your first and best line of defense. 

2.  Deepfake Doppelgängers Are Crashing Your Video Calls

Imagine joining a Zoom meeting and seeing your CEO, CFO, or IT manager giving urgent instructions, only to find out later, they weren’t real. 

Recently, a cryptocurrency foundation reported an incident where deepfake versions of their leadership tricked an employee into downloading a “Zoom extension.” The result? A North Korean-backed intrusion. 

AI-generated deepfakes have become disturbingly lifelike. For business owners, this means that your traditional verification methods, like recognizing a face or voice, are no longer enough. 

Watch for these red flags: 

• Awkward lighting or shadows 
• Delayed lip movements or robotic gestures 
• Long pauses before responding 

When in doubt, verify offline before acting on unexpected requests.

3.  Fake “AI Tools” That Hide Malware

Cybercriminals are exploiting the AI buzz to trick users into downloading malicious software disguised as AI tools. 

These so-called “AI video generators,” “voice cloning apps,” or “ChatGPT unlockers” are often promoted on TikTok, YouTube, and social media. They appear legitimate, but once installed, they deliver data-stealing malware instead. 

Researchers uncovered a TikTok account promoting “cracked ChatGPT” installs via PowerShell commands. In reality, the downloads were part of a malware campaign. 

Security awareness training is key for businesses here too. Before you or your team download any new AI tool, ask your MSP to vet it first. A five-minute check can prevent a five-figure breach. 

Don’t Let AI Ghosts Haunt Your Business 

AI threats are getting smarter, but so can your defenses. 

From deepfakes to AI-powered phishing to fake tools, these “AI ghosts” can only scare businesses that aren’t prepared. 

• Verify before you trust
• Train your team
• Partner with a proactive MSP that understands today’s AI-driven risks 

Schedule Your Free Discovery Call 

Your business doesn’t have to face AI-era cyber threats alone.