Scams, phishing and other forms of human manipulation account for more than 75% of all digital threats.
Norton Genie, new AI-powered scam detector, expands to Android.
TEMPE, Ariz. And PRAGUE, September 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Norton, a consumer cybersecurity brand from Gen™ (NASDAQ: GENERATION), today published its latest Pulse Consumer Cybersecurity Reportwhich provides an in-depth look at the latest scams, including those involving online retailers, sextortion, tech support, cryptobusiness emails and much more.
Pulse Cybersecurity Threat by the Numbers Report
With the development of artificial intelligence (AI) such as ChatGPT, cybercriminals now have additional assistance in creating sophisticated scams, which has led to an increase in their prevalence. Additionally, according to Gen data, 75% of all computer-based cyberthreats are now scams. Norton experts have identified some of the biggest online scams people face today, including:
- Online store scams: Scammers create fake online stores, offering products at unbeatable prices. Once the purchase is made, the product is never delivered and the site disappears.
- Sextortion scams: Cybercriminals threaten to release private or compromising information unless a ransom is paid. These scams often start with Phishing emails and exploit human emotions like fear and shame.
- Tech support scams: Scammers pose as technical support agents of reputable companies. They trick victims into granting remote access to their computers, leading to data theft or ransom demands.
“We’ve found that fraudsters are relying on old methods to lure their victims, but they now have a more sophisticated arsenal to make these schemes more realistic,” said Luis Corrons, security evangelist for Norton. “By leveraging AI, criminals are creating scams that are not only more credible, but also alarmingly real, making the scams more convincing and harder to detect. This is why it is so important that consumers know what to be wary of. how, we want them to have the latest security tools they need to be safer. We recently released Norton Genie, a free AI-powered scam detection tool, to help people fight scams and make today’s threats easier to navigate. You can even ask Genie follow-up questions so that over time you can also better spot scams with the naked eye.
Norton recommends a variety of tips to protect yourself from scams, depending on the type. These practices include:
- Check before buying: Check the authenticity of the retail website using reviews and ratings.
- Check who you are talking to when you receive unknown calls: If you are contacted by “technical support”, for example, verify their identity by contacting the company directly through official channels.
- Add layers of security to purchases: Use multi-step verification before making any financial transactions and only use secure payment methods, such as credit cards, that offer fraud protection.
- Be careful what you share: No matter where or with whom, always think twice before sharing personally identifiable information online.
AI for Good: Norton Genie offers free scam protection for iOS and Android
As cybercriminals use AI to enhance their scams, Norton leverages technology to help consumers protect themselves against them. The new Norton Genie is an AI-powered tool that detects SMS, social media and email scams. As consumers are inundated with fraudulent messages every day, Genie helps them determine if the messages they see are potentially harmful. Genie takes it a step further by answering follow-up questions like “How do you know this is a scam?” and “What should I do next?” to help people gain the knowledge they need.
Norton Genie Early Access in English launched in August for iOS and is now also available on Android. Visit genie.norton.com to learn more and download today.
Threats in numbers
The latest Pulse report reveals that Norton blocked more than 1.5 billion threats in the first half of 2023. Scams make up the majority of these threats.
From From January 1 to June 30, 2023Norton blocked:
- 117.8 million phishing attempts
- 88.9 million threats on workstations
- 680,000 mobile threats
- Norton AntiTrack blocked over 2.6 billion trackers and fingerprinting attempts
For more information and advice on cybersecurity, visit Norton Internet Security Center.
About Norton
Norton is a leader in cybersecurity and part of Gen™ (NASDAQ: GENERATION), a global company dedicated to digital freedom with a family of trusted consumer brands. Norton provides millions of individuals and families with award-winning protection for their devices, online privacy and identity. Norton products and services are certified by independent testing organizations, including AV-TEST, AV-Comparatives and SE Labs. Norton is a founding member of the Coalition Against Stalkerware. Learn more at Norton.com. www.norton.com.
SOURCE Gen Numérique Inc.
