Americans increasingly view AI scams as a greater threat than viruses

A survey of 1,000 Americans conducted by CNET Group indicates that 62% of respondents agree or strongly agree that AI-powered scams are now more dangerous than traditional malware or computer viruses.

The data highlights a significant rise in frequent fraudulent contact, with over 80% of participants reporting receiving scam calls or emails at least once a week, and more than 76% receiving scam texts on a weekly basis or more often.

When asked to identify their primary cybersecurity concerns, respondents ranked scam and fraud-related risks as their top four fears, while traditional malware barely appeared in the top five. Security industry experts from companies such as Bitdefender, Malwarebytes, McAfee, and Norton noted that the proliferation of AI-boosted scams is a primary concern for users.