As artificial intelligence becomes more sophisticated, so too do the tools used by cybercriminals. One of the most alarming developments in recent years is the rise of AI-enhanced social engineering—a fusion of psychological manipulation and machine learning that poses a serious threat to individuals and small businesses alike.
In this, the third article in our Individual and Small Business series, we’ll explain what AI-enhanced social engineering is, how it works, how to recognize it, and how to protect yourself and your organization.
What Is AI-Enhanced Social Engineering?
Traditional social engineering relies on human deception—impersonating trusted sources, manipulating emotions, or crafting believable stories to trick victims into revealing sensitive information. AI-enhanced social engineering takes this a step further by using artificial intelligence to automate, personalize, and scale these tactics.
Cybercriminals are now using AI to:
- Generate highly convincing phishing emails
- Clone voices for phone scams (vishing)
- Mimic writing styles for spear phishing
- Scrape social media data to craft personalized messages
- Engage in real-time chat manipulation through AI chatbots
This advanced approach makes attacks harder to detect and easier to tailor to specific targets.
How It Works
At the core of AI-enhanced social engineering are natural language processing (NLP) models, voice synthesis, and data-mining tools. Here’s how attackers deploy them:
- Data Gathering: AI scrapes publicly available data from social media, company websites, and data breaches to build detailed profiles on individuals or organizations.
- Message Generation: Tools like ChatGPT, WormGPT (a malicious clone), or FraudGPT generate personalized phishing messages, spoofing emails that reference real people, projects, or events.
- Voice Cloning: Using a short audio clip (often taken from videos or voicemail greetings), attackers can create deepfake audio to impersonate a CEO or family member convincingly.
- Real-Time Manipulation: AI chatbots can impersonate help desk agents or customer support reps, engaging in fluid, human-like conversations designed to extract information or credentials.
What to Watch Out For
AI-enhanced attacks often look and sound more authentic than traditional scams. Here are some red flags to help you spot them:
✅ Too Perfect to Be Real
AI-generated emails are often grammatically flawless and unusually well-composed. Be skeptical of overly polished messages, especially if they contain an urgent request.
✅ Contextual Specificity
If a message references obscure internal details (like the name of your manager or a recent project), it may have been crafted using scraped information. Cross-check the source before responding.
✅ Odd Voice Calls
If a caller sounds like someone you know but behaves unusually (e.g., rushed, urgent, evasive), it could be AI voice cloning. Hang up and call them back using a known number.
✅ Unexpected Links or Attachments
Even if a message appears to come from a colleague, check before clicking. Hover over links, and verify with the sender through a separate communication channel.
✅ Chatbots Posing as Support
Be cautious of chatbots or “agents” that pop up uninvited, especially outside of secure portals. Many scams now use conversational AI to trick victims into entering login credentials.
Real-World Examples
- Voice Cloning Fraud: Criminals used AI to clone a company director’s voice, tricking a bank manager into transferring $35 million. (Forbes)
- AI-Generated CEO Emails: Several cybersecurity firms have reported phishing campaigns where attackers used generative AI to mimic executive writing styles and request urgent wire transfers.
- WormGPT in the Wild: Discovered in 2023, WormGPT is an underground version of ChatGPT trained specifically for malicious tasks like crafting phishing emails, social engineering prompts, and scam scripts.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Business
🔐 Educate and Train
Awareness is the first line of defense. Train employees and family members on how to recognize AI-enhanced scams. Include simulated phishing drills and deepfake awareness sessions.
🔒 Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Even if credentials are stolen, MFA can block unauthorized access. Apply it to all sensitive systems and email accounts.
🛡️ Implement Email Filtering and AI Detection Tools
Modern email security solutions can analyze behavioral patterns and flag potential AI-generated content. Invest in platforms that go beyond keyword filters.
🔍 Verify Requests Through a Second Channel
Before making any transfers or sharing credentials, confirm the request with the source—ideally via a different communication method (e.g., a phone call or in-person).
📉 Limit Data Exposure
Reduce the amount of personal or sensitive business information shared publicly online. Remove unnecessary details from LinkedIn, company bios, and social posts.
Conclusion
AI-enhanced social engineering is not a far-off sci-fi threat—it’s already here, and it’s targeting both individuals and organizations with increasing precision. The best defense is a combination of awareness, skepticism, and layered security practices. By staying informed and cautious, you can outsmart the machines before they outsmart you.
Steven Bowcut is an award-winning journalist covering cyber and physical security. He is an editor and writer for Brilliance Security Magazine as well as other security and non-security online publications. Follow and connect with Steve on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.