Spotting AI-generated phishing: what changed and what still gives it away
Phishing emails have gotten smarter, especially with AI helping attackers create convincing messages. But there are still clues you can spot to protect yourself.
Phishing emails have always been tricky, but AI has made them harder to detect. Attackers can now write messages that sound like they come from real people, using real names, real details, and even real writing styles. But even with AI, there are still patterns and mistakes that can help you tell if an email is fake.
What changed with AI phishing
AI tools can generate text that mimics human language, making it easier for attackers to create convincing messages. These emails often look more professional, use correct grammar, and even include personal details that seem accurate. For example, an email might claim to be from your boss, include your name, and reference a real project you were working on. This makes it harder to tell if something is wrong.
But AI isn’t perfect. It can’t always understand context, tone, or nuance. It also struggles with things like email formatting, proper use of punctuation, and consistency in tone. These small errors can be the difference between a real email and a fake one.
What still gives AI-generated phishing away
Even with AI, there are still signs that can help you spot a phishing email. One common clue is the use of overly formal or overly casual language. AI-generated messages might be too perfect in one way or the other, which is a red flag.
Another sign is the way the email is written. Real emails often have small mistakes, like typos or odd phrasing, because people aren’t perfect writers. AI-generated messages might be too clean, which can feel suspicious.
Also, look for pressure tactics. Phishing emails often try to make you act quickly, like “urgent” or “limited time” offers. If you’re being pushed to click a link or provide sensitive information without proper context, that’s a warning sign.
How to check if an email is AI-generated
You can use free tools like mailcheck to scan suspicious emails for signs of phishing. These tools look for common phishing patterns, like suspicious domains, poor grammar, and mismatched sender details.
You can also check the sender’s email address. Phishing emails often come from addresses that look similar to real ones but have small differences, like extra letters or numbers. For example, “support@company.com” might be real, but “support@compani.com” is likely fake.
What to do if you think you got scammed
If you receive an email that looks suspicious, don’t click any links or provide any information. Instead, report it using the mailcheck tool or contact your IT team if you’re part of a business. If you think you’ve already been scammed, change your passwords and monitor your accounts for unusual activity.
Phishing is still a big threat, but staying informed and using the right tools can help you avoid falling for these scams. Stay alert, and remember that no email is too good to be true.