ISLAMABAD: Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has reported detecting more than 92,000 cyber threats disguised as artificial intelligence applications and services between January and May 2026, reflecting a growing trend of cybercriminals exploiting the popularity of AI platforms.
The company said attackers increasingly used counterfeit versions of well-known AI services to distribute malware and potentially unwanted software. Fake ChatGPT applications accounted for nearly half of all detected incidents, while fraudulent versions of Claude and Gemini each represented 18% of the attacks.
According to Kaspersky researchers, more than 15,000 malware samples were identified masquerading as AI software during the reporting period. These included banking trojans, spyware, exploits and malware downloaders designed to install additional malicious programs on victims’ devices.
Fake AI apps used in targeted malware campaigns
Kaspersky’s Global Research and Analysis Team also reported uncovering a cyber campaign in May linked to the Silver Fox advanced persistent threat (APT) group.
The campaign involved fake Claude AI applications distributed for Windows, macOS and Linux systems. Researchers said the malicious installers secretly deployed malware after installation, allowing attackers to gain long-term access to infected devices and sensitive data.
The cybersecurity company noted that the rapid adoption of AI tools has created new opportunities for threat actors to exploit users searching for popular applications and services.
Organisations and users urged to strengthen security
Dmitry Galov, Head of Russia and CIS units at Kaspersky’s Global Research and Analysis Team, said AI adoption is changing the cybersecurity landscape as businesses increasingly rely on interconnected systems and automated processes.
He warned that cybercriminals are actively leveraging trusted AI brands to trick users into revealing personal information, downloading malicious files or exposing financial data.
Kaspersky advised organisations to invest in advanced threat detection, monitoring and incident response capabilities to strengthen cyber resilience. Individual users were encouraged to use AI platforms from trusted providers, avoid unknown applications and maintain reliable security protection against phishing attempts and malware infections.
The company said growing reliance on AI technologies makes cybersecurity awareness and digital protection increasingly important for both businesses and consumers.
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