The holiday season brings big opportunities—and big risks. As Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and end-of-year sales approach, cybercriminals are stepping up their game with new AI-powered tactics. From fake executive Zoom calls to phishing emails crafted by AI, attackers are using advanced tools to trick your employees and target your systems.

Here’s what to watch for—and how to protect your business.

Fake Zoom Calls From “Your Boss”? Deepfakes Are On The Rise

AI-generated deepfakes are no longer science fiction. In one recent incident, attackers created fake video feeds of company executives on a Zoom call to trick an employee into downloading a malicious file. It worked—because the employee thought they were talking to real leadership.

During the hectic holiday season, these attacks are even more effective. People are moving fast, skipping checks, and trying to close year-end business.

Watch for subtle red flags: facial inconsistencies, unusual lighting, or odd pauses in video calls. If something feels off, double-check through another method—don’t assume the video is real.

AI-Written Phishing Emails Flooding Inboxes

Phishing emails have always been a risk, but now they’re powered by AI—making them smarter, more polished, and harder to detect.

Instead of obvious typos and sketchy language, scammers are now using generative AI to create professional-looking emails that mimic vendors, banks, or even your internal systems. During Black Friday and holiday deals, this can include fake order confirmations, refund alerts, or gift card offers.

To protect your business:

1- Train your team on red flags like urgency, unknown senders, and suspicious links.

2- Enable multifactor authentication (MFA) on all accounts.

3- Make reporting easy—employees should never hesitate to flag something suspicious.

Malware Disguised as AI Tools and Deals

Cybercriminals are also taking advantage of holiday shopping hype by promoting fake AI apps, browser extensions, and “free tools” to help with marketing, automation, or video creation.

Often, these “tools” include just enough legitimate functionality to appear useful—while silently installing malware on your device.

In one case, a fake AI video generator was distributed via social media ads and TikTok videos, leading users to download a malicious script under the promise of boosting sales content.

Before installing anything new this season, ask your IT provider or MSP to verify it’s safe.

What Businesses Should Do Right Now

With cyberattacks increasing during Q4, your business needs to be proactive—not reactive.

Here’s how:

1- Review your current cybersecurity measures before peak shopping begins.

2- Make sure you’re using advanced endpoint protection, not just basic antivirus.

3- Don’t skip employee training—especially in retail, hospitality, or ecommerce.

4- Keep a backup of critical data and test it before the busy season.

Stay Protected While You Sell More

Your business should be focused on growth—not recovering from an attack. Cybercriminals are taking advantage of AI and using the holiday rush to slip through the cracks. But with the right defenses in place, you can stay safe while taking full advantage of the season.

Schedule your free discovery call now. We’ll assess your current risks and help you close the security gaps before they become costly problems.