In a bid to help users better prepare against online threats, computer security firm McAfee has offered its forecasts for 2023.

The company is predicting a rise in disinformation, artificial intelligence in the mainstream and scams continuing to evolve.

McAfee has considered what the 2023 online threat landscape may look like, highlighting predictions, as well as advice on how families and individuals can stay safe.

In 2022, users saw the continued evolution of scams, which is unlikely to slow down amid the cost-of-living crisis, McAfee said.

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools that are easy and accessible to virtually anyone with a phone or laptop have significant implications, as does the fluctuating popularity of cryptocurrencies.

All of these set the stage for a 2023 that promises advancement, not only in how we interact with technology, but in how bad actors are able to exploit it, and us in turn.

Vonny Gamot, Head of EMEA at McAfee, commented: “The recent launch of conversational AI chatbot, ChatGPT, highlights two of our main concerns for the year ahead – AI and the potential for disinformation.

“AI signals the next generation of content creation becoming available to the masses. So just as advances in desktop publishing and consumer printing allowed criminals to create better counterfeits and more realistic manipulation of images, these tools will be used by a range of bad actors, from cybercriminals to those seeking to falsely influence public opinion, to take their craft to the next level with more realistic results.”

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AI Goes Mainstream and the Distribution of Disinformation Rises

As AI generated images, videos, and even voices, become mainstream, we will all need to be more mindful of the content we consume and the sources it comes from.

Fact checking images, videos and news content, something that’s already on the rise, will continue to be a necessary and valuable part of media consumption.

More Sophisticated Cryptocurrency Scams

In 2022 we saw several online scams making use of existing content to make crypto scams more believable. One such example was the double your money cryptocurrency scam that used an old Elon Musk video as a lure.

We expect crypto scams to evolve in 2023 and make use of deep fake videos, as well as audio, to trick victims into parting ways with their hard-earned money.

Increase in Investment Scams

Amid the cost-of-living crisis, the financial outlook of 2023 means it will be a tough year for many.

During these times, people often look for ways to make some extra money, which can leave them vulnerable to social media messages and online ads that offer huge financial gains for little investment.

How to protect yourself from cyber-threats

Gamot continued: “It used to be that we could load antivirus on our devices and go on our way with confidence. That’s not the case anymore. While antivirus is still a cornerstone of security, it’s just one part of a much bigger online protection picture.

“Staying up to date with the latest scams and increasing digital hygiene are important steps, but you should also consider using dedicated online protection software and a VPN to shield your information on public WiFi.

“When it comes to AI-generated content, disinformation, or any kind of scam, if it looks too good to be true, or you feel you are being rushed to make a decision, it’s always best to double check the source is legitimate before taking action.”

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