Kaspersky reports AI-themed malware surge hitting SMBs in India, SE Asia

Kaspersky’s telemetry detected more than 33,300 malware attacks on small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) worldwide between January and April 2026, a rise of almost five‑fold compared with the same period in 2025. The surge is driven by malicious software masquerading as popular artificial‑intelligence services. In India, attacks rose more than six times, with over 600 incidents focused on fake versions of ChatGPT (41%), DeepSeek (40%) and Claude (15%). The Philippines saw a four‑fold increase, reporting 1,847 AI‑themed incidents. In total, Kaspersky identified around 1,100 unique AI‑lure samples, many using Trojware that can download additional payloads or steal data. Traditional fake‑communication‑app attacks (Telegram, WhatsApp, Zoom, Microsoft Teams) remained high, with roughly 415,000 blocks but showed only marginal change from 2025. The report, released ahead of International SMB Day on 27 June, offers threat analysis and mitigation guidance for businesses adopting AI tools.