CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH | 2025

Generative AI 101

Everyone is talking about artificial intelligence. This technology is the hottest new thing and is becoming an important part of our lives, at home and at work.

What is generative AI?

Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that can create new content. You can use genAI to draft an email, paint a picture, write a song, and even make a video.

How does genAI work?

It all starts with an algorithm. The creators choose an algorithm or framework to build their AI on. This is like the seed that the generative AI model will grow from. What algorithm the creators choose will depend on what they want their project to do. The creators then feed the new AI model huge amounts of training data. What data they use depends on what the model is going to be used for. Do you want a model that can write like Shakespeare? Then you’ll be feeding it classic literature. The more data you give it, the better the model will be.

The operator “teaches” the model how to make the correct connections. Now the model can generate new output, based on previous information.

Generative AI security awareness

AI is a tool. And like any tool, it can be misused. Criminals are already exploiting AI technology to scam people to break even the best security measures. Users may not be aware of the security and legal risks of using AI carelessly.

AI accidents and errors

   Generative AI networks are prone to “hallucinations”. In some cases, an AI tool will produce an answer that’s not     only wrong but completely made up.

Legal challenges

GenAI can lead to legal challenges. Generative AI creates new output, based on the prompt and the training data it was given. But many AI networks are trained on copyrighted material. This can make it difficult for you to use AI-created content legally.

Safe use of generative AI

Generative AI is a revolutionary tool, and like any tool, it can be misused. However, by being cautious and using approved, verified services, you can use genAI safely. It is important to stay informed about the latest developments and best practices in AI safety to mitigate potential risks.

Generative AI gives scammers new strength

AI-generated product photos? Just say no!

AI is improving, but many scam sites use careless or low-quality fake pictures. Examine product photos closely and look for blurriness or an unnaturally smooth texture. If they can't show you the real product, then they don't have it. 

Trend-chasing and unrealistic scales

Scammers want to make quick cash by leaning on the latest trends. Be wary of sites offering "the hot new thing" at impossible prices. At best, you'll receive a cheap counterfeit. At worst, your identity is now up for sale. 

Fresh sites could be fresh scams

Fake shopping sites rely on speed. Their scam won't stand up to close inspection, so the scammers create new sites constantly, rake in the money, and then disappear. Check a site's domain history and publishing date. If it's brand new, it could be a trick.

Fake reviews

Generative AI can create phony reviews for scammers to put on their site. Remember: even the best product can't please everyone. If a site has dozens of only five-star reviews, it's a scam.

Tips 

• Check if the business domain is typed correctly
• Check if trusted platforms validate the site
• Search for reviews or other important details, such as the date the website was incorporated, social media posts (with caution), and legitimate news sources for the website
• Use Whois (whois.com) to find out when the domain was registered
• Don't feed any confidential or personal data unless you are 100% sure the site is legitimate

Deepfake extortion

Scammers are using voice and image cloning to create deepfakes of real people. This information is often scraped from public social media sites. The deepfake can then be used to contact the real person’s friends and relatives and ask for money. They often target senior citizens, who may not be aware of how the trick works.