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Cybersecurity Threats Are Rising - Here's How to Stay Safe Thumbnail

Cybersecurity Threats Are Rising - Here's How to Stay Safe

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Cybersecurity Threats Are Rising—Here’s How to Stay Safe

Written by Kevin Becknell (Chief Information and Compliance Officer, PTM Wealth Management)

As digital technology becomes more integral to daily life, cybercriminals are launching increasingly sophisticated attacks that affect individuals and organizations alike. In 2023 alone, Americans lost billions to online scams, highlighting the urgent need for increased awareness and proactive protection.

Common Scams and Attack Methods

Cybercriminals rely on deception and social engineering to exploit vulnerabilities. Some of the most prevalent methods include:

  • Phishing and Vishing: Fraudulent emails, texts, or calls impersonate legitimate institutions to steal sensitive information.
  • Tech Support Scams: Fake alerts or calls claim a device is infected, prompting users to pay for bogus services or allow remote access.
  • Romance and Investment Scams: Criminals build trust through online relationships, eventually soliciting money or promoting fraudulent crypto schemes.
  • Social Media Scams: Impersonators use fake profiles or hacked accounts to gain trust and extract personal or financial information.
  • Online Shopping and Auction Scams: Fake websites or sellers lure victims with unrealistic deals to steal money or data.
  • Credential Theft and Account Takeovers: Hackers use stolen login credentials to access accounts and commit fraud.
  • Malware and Ransomware: Malicious software is installed through phishing links or unsafe sites to steal data or demand ransom.

Current Trends

In 2025, cyberattacks are surging at unprecedented levels, with individuals facing escalating losses and fraud incidents. Some of the most common cyberattacks targeting individuals are:

  • Phishing attacks have increased by 1,265%1, driven by generative AI that makes emails more convincing; 1.2% of all global emails—about 3.4 billion daily2—are malicious phishing attempts.
  • Identity theft is also on the rise, increasing by 12% annually since 20203. In 2024, consumers reported $27.2 billion4 in losses due to identity fraud—a 19% increase from the previous year. Synthetic identity fraud, which uses a mix of real and fake personal data, is the fastest-growing financial crime in 2025.5
  • Tech support and government impersonation scams led to $1.3 billion in losses in 2023, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)6, with more individuals being targeted.
  • Cybercriminals are increasingly using AI-driven tactics, including AI-generated deepfakes that replicate voices from social media, allowing them to access bank accounts7 and launch automated scams. These trends highlight the urgent need for stronger personal cybersecurity practices, including strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, caution with unsolicited messages, and regular software updates.

The Role of AI in Modern Cybercrime

Artificial intelligence has transformed the cyber threat landscape. Attackers use AI to create convincing phishing messages, generate deepfakes, predict passwords, and evade traditional detection systems. AI allows criminals to automate and scale attacks, making them more effective and harder to trace.

At the same time, cybersecurity professionals are using AI to fight back. Advanced systems can detect unusual network activity, predict vulnerabilities, and isolate threats in real time. Banks and online platforms now rely on machine learning to prevent fraud before it happens, illustrating how AI can serve as both a threat and a defense tool.

How to Stay Protected

Staying safe online requires a combination of vigilance and good digital hygiene. Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible. Avoid clicking on unsolicited links and never share personal information without verifying the source. Keep software and devices updated and use reputable antivirus and security tools. Platforms like Aura offer comprehensive protection by monitoring for identity theft, unusual credit activity, data breaches, and malware threats. They also provide secure browsing, password management, and around-the-clock support to help respond quickly to cyber incidents.

Conclusion

As cyber threats grow in scale and complexity, staying informed and adopting proactive security measures are essential. With the right knowledge and tools, individuals and businesses can significantly reduce their risk and navigate the digital world with greater confidence.


References:

1 - Reported by cybersecurity firms and widely covered in 2023-2024 cybersecurity trend reports.

2 - Barracuda, Cisco, and Check Point cybersecurity reports

3 - Data from Javelin Strategy & Research and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

4 - FTC and ID Theft Resource Center data combined with private-sector research.

5 - Aite-Novarica Group and TransUnion reports.

6 - FBI IC3 2023 Annual Report

7 - Verified through cases reported by Reuters, Norton, and World Economic Forum.