AI: A New Mask for Malware

AI is becoming an increasingly prevalent source of cyberthreats for SMBs. However, these AI-related threats don't always have to do with AI's direct involvement (as in the case of AI-executed attacks and advanced vulnerability scanning). For example, a report by Kaspersky highlights a surge of "Malware attacks on SMBs disguised as AI services" [1]. Attackers are still using the same tried-and-true methods of creating fake software download websites and well-crafted phishing emails prompting the installation of .exe files. They have merely changed their branding.

The use of tools powered by artificial intelligence is trendier than ever in workplace environments for coding, marketing, transcription, IT tasks, customer support, and more. Thousands upon thousands of new AI tools are being released by a variety of organizations, all claiming to have the perfect solution for automating a particular task. Popular models undergo frequent updates, causing their advantage over competitors to rise and fall like the waves of the sea.

In an environment like this, all an attacker needs to do is disguise their keyloggers, rootkits, and ransomware as the trendiest AI tools and market them to their victims on the internet. It is no small wonder that the use of this method has become five times more frequent since 2025 and is now 39% higher than attacks disguised as office and collaboration tools [2]. Based on the concerning trends shown in the Kaspersky report, these AI-themed lures will only become more common in the following months. And now that attackers can easily create elegant websites and distribute convincing phishing emails on a mass scale using their own AI tools [2], SMBs are more vulnerable than ever to this threat. Unless, of course, they adopt the same cybersecurity practices already used to combat the installation and distribution of malware and apply them to their AI tools.

One of the simplest and most effective things an SMB could do to mitigate the risk of falling prey to AI-disguised malware is the establishment of an approved AI tools policy. The policy would detail which tools are allowed, the sites where they can be safely installed, and the process for adopting the use of a new tool. If possible, whitelisting software should also be installed to enact this policy. If approved software is comprehensively defined, a whitelist can allow the use of these applications while blocking the installation of anything outside the policy.

Another powerful line of defense for this threat involves the use of an endpoint detection and response system (EDR). Because of how easily malware can be updated and changed, antivirus tools and malware signature checkers are often insufficient to counter deadly cyberattacks. Moreover, malware like this is often willingly installed, disguised as something harmless, and may even perform the basic functions of the software it is masquerading as [3]. Software disguised as Claude Code, for instance, may contain a light AI model that will attempt to answer user prompts and behave in a similar way to the official tool. But EDR systems continuously monitor system behavior, so if a malicious program attempts to create silent background processes or make outbound connections to suspicious IP addresses, it will be detected regardless of the malware's external disguise.

However, maintaining an approved tools policy, configuring whitelists, and tuning an EDR system across every endpoint is a tall order for a business that doesn't have a dedicated security team. Cybersecurity firms like GA Cyber Defense exist to meet that ever-growing need. Our CISSP, CEH, and CySA+ certified professionals bring over a decade of hands-on experience to every engagement, from deploying and managing EDR to building the access policies and application whitelists that keep unapproved software off your network.

Attackers may change the label on the box, but a team that knows what lies inside that box can neutralize threats before they manifest into real problems.

References

[1] Kaspersky. Malware attacks on SMBs disguised as AI services surged by five times in 2026, Kaspersky reports. Press release, June 2026. Available at: https://me-en.kaspersky.com/about/press-releases/malware-attacks-on-smbs-disguised-as-ai-services-surged-by-five-times-in-2026-kaspersky-reports

[2] Kaspersky — Securelist. Threat landscape for SMBs in 2026: fake AI tools, phishing and more. Published June 25, 2026. Documents over 33,300 AI-disguised attacks from January to April 2026 — nearly five times the 2025 figure and 39% more than attacks disguised as office and collaboration tools — alongside phishing and scam campaigns impersonating AI and financial services. Available at: https://securelist.com/smb-threat-report-2026/120357/

[3] Plow Networks. That "Free AI Tool" Could Be Malware in Disguise. Published 2026. Documents the Silver Fox campaign distributing convincing fake Claude applications built for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Available at: https://plow.net/cybersecurity-blog/that-free-ai-tool-could-be-malware-in-disguise/