WEF: AI Overtakes Ransomware as Fastest-Growing Cyber Risk – January 2026

Author/Source: Fortra See the full link here

Takeaway

This article explains how artificial intelligence (AI) is now seen as the biggest new danger in cybersecurity, even more so than ransomware. You’ll learn how AI can make cyberattacks much smarter and harder to stop, and why understanding AI is important for safety online.

Technical Subject Understandability

Intermediate

Analogy/Comparison

Using AI for cyberattacks is like a skilled magician creating illusions that are almost impossible to tell from reality, making it very hard to spot their tricks.

Why It Matters

AI is making cyberattacks much more sophisticated, which means businesses and individuals face new, harder-to-detect threats like very convincing fake videos or emails. For example, the article mentions AI can create deepfakes that are so real they can trick people into believing something false or giving up private information.

Related Terms

Artificial intelligence (AI), Ransomware, Deepfakes, Phishing, Cyber risk, AI literacy. Jargon Conversion: Artificial intelligence (AI) is computer technology that can think and learn like humans. Ransomware is a type of harmful computer program that locks up your files until you pay money. Deepfakes are fake videos or audio recordings that look or sound real, made by AI. Phishing is when tricksters try to get your personal information by pretending to be someone trustworthy. Cyber risk is the chance of harm or loss from using technology or the internet. AI literacy means understanding what AI is and how it works.

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