Security experts warn that criminals are using AI to make scams more convincing and attacks faster. Zimbabwean businesses, which often have limited IT resources, need to be ready.
How attackers use AI
- Convincing phishing: well-written emails and WhatsApp messages without the spelling mistakes that once gave scams away.
- Voice and video cloning: fake calls that sound like a director asking for an urgent payment.
- Fake websites and ads that imitate real brands.
- Faster vulnerability hunting on outdated websites and plugins.
How to protect your business
- Verify payment requests through a second channel, especially changes to bank details.
- Use two-factor authentication on email, banking, social media and website admin accounts.
- Train staff to pause before clicking links or sharing codes.
- Keep your website updated: WordPress core, themes and plugins, plus a security plugin and firewall.
- Back up regularly and store backups separately.
- Remove unused accounts and give staff only the access they need.
- Monitor your brand for fake pages and report them.
If something goes wrong
Change passwords, contact your bank immediately, inform affected customers and get your website checked and cleaned by professionals.
Need help with this in Zimbabwe?
Web Entangled has been helping Zimbabwean businesses grow online since 2002. Explore our secure web hosting and website maintenance, or request a free quotation and we will get back to you with a clear, itemised proposal.