It said AI now allows attackers to conduct thorough research on victims and create personalised messages to trick them into releasing sensitive information.
The agency explained that phishing attacks involve manipulating individuals into opening an infected email attachment, clicking on a malicious link or letting out sensitive information such as usernames and passwords or bank information.
According to NITDA, these attacks may manifest as phishing emails, phone calls or text messages geared at exploiting individuals. The agency observed that user accounts are valuable targets for cybercriminals to access personal and organisational networks. Email-based phishing attacks have become the most common way for scammers to obtain credentials.
It warned: “Lately, these bad actors have taken things up a notch by leveraging Al to improve the sophistication of their attack approaches. This involves using Al to conduct thorough research on potential victims and creating personalised messages to effectively deceive them into divulging sensitive information. This advanced approach shows how phishing attacks are getting more sophisticated and finding new ways to catch people off guard.”
Highlighting some measures to safeguard individuals and organisations, NITDA advised Nigerians to be careful about the emails they open and the links they click on.
It also urged the citizenry not to enter their personal information on any website they do not trust. Besides, it appealed to Ondo State to equip citizens with digital skills for innovative enterprises.
NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, made the call when he delivered a keynote address, titled: “Tech-Forward Ondo” at the Develop Ondo 2.1, a virtual summit, organised by the state’s Ministry of Regional Integration and Diaspora Relations.
Represented by Acting Director, Corporate Planning and Strategy Department, Dr Aristotle Onumo, the DG advised the state to prepare its people for tomorrow’s jobs.
“To compete in the digital economy, the state government needs to prioritise education and build the digital skills of its workforce, by creating efficient safety nets to support those transactions,” he stated.
