80% of malware is powered by AI • Blisstech Solutions

What if I told you that most of the cyber attacks happening right now aren’t being run by people at all, but by artificial intelligence?

That’s the reality of where we are today.

According to new research, 80% of ransomware attacks are now powered by AI. That’s four out of every five.

And it’s not just ransomware. AI is increasingly being used to:

Create more convincing phishing emails (messages designed to trick you into clicking a link or handing over sensitive details)
Crack passwords at lightning speed
Bypass CAPTCHAs (those little puzzles you solve online to prove you’re human)
Generate fake customer service calls using deepfakes (AI-generated audio or video that mimics a real person’s voice or face)

So why does this matter for small and medium sized businesses?

The problem is speed and scale. Attackers using AI can try thousands of ways to break into a system in the time it would take a human to attempt just one.

And while a business needs to defend every possible entry point, an attacker only needs to succeed once.

That imbalance is what makes this such a big threat.

Traditional approaches to stopping malware, spotting it, removing it, and patching systems, are struggling to keep up. AI-driven attacks evolve faster than human teams can respond. That means businesses need to think differently about their defences. It’s no longer enough to rely only on antivirus software or occasional updates.

The good news is that AI is also being used on the defensive side.

Security systems that monitor for suspicious behaviour, predict likely attacks, and even set up traps for hackers are becoming more common.

But the real key is a layered approach. Strong security basics like patching and updates, combined with AI-powered defences, human oversight, and clear governance.

The reality is that AI-powered cyber crime isn’t going away. In fact, it’s only expected to grow. But with the right mindset and proactive defences, businesses don’t have to be easy targets. Acting now gives you the best chance of staying one step ahead of attackers who are relying on AI to do their dirty work.

If you need help checking your business is secure, get in touch.

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How to create secure passwords

Weak passwords are one of the biggest security risks to your business.
Why?
Because cyber criminals are getting smarter than ever before. If they manage to crack just one password, they could gain access to your sensitive business data, financial information, or even gain control of your entire system.
Cyber criminals use automated tools to guess passwords, allowing them to try out millions of combinations in seconds. So, if you’re using something like “Password123” or “CompanyName2025”, you’re practically handing them the keys to your business.
A compromised password can lead to big issues, such as:
• Data breaches
• Financial losses
• Identity theft
• Reputation damage
But how do you create strong passwords without driving yourself (and your team) mad?
Think of your password like a secret recipe, where only you should know the ingredients. It should:
• Be at least 14 characters long (the longer, the better)
• Include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters
• Contain a few numbers and symbols (like @, $, %, or &)
• Not contain any common words or easily guessable information (like birthdays, names, or the word “password”)
Instead of using a single word, you could try a passphrase – a short, random sentence that only you would understand. For example, instead of “Sailing2025”, try something like “Coffee&CloudsAreGreat9!”. This is much harder to crack, yet still easy to remember.
You should also steer clear of these common mistakes:
• Using personal info (your name, birthday, business name, etc.)
• Reusing the same passwords across multiple accounts
• Using simple sequences (“123456” or “abcdef”)
• Storing passwords in an easily accessible place (like a sticky note on your desk)
If remembering unique passwords for every account sounds impossible, there is another option: Password managers. These generate strong passwords, store them securely and autofill them for you.
With a password manager, you only need to remember one strong master password for the manager app itself. The rest are encrypted and stored safely, reducing the risk of data breaches.
Even the strongest password isn’t foolproof, which is why multi-factor authentication (MFA) is also important. MFA requires a second form of verification, like a one-time code sent to your phone or generated from an authentication app.
If you have employees accessing your business systems, it’s a good idea to have a password policy in place to explain your rules and why they’re important. This should include:
• Unique passwords for each system and account
• Regular security training on password best practices
• Business-wide use of MFA for critical systems
• Scanning for compromised passwords regularly
By making password security a priority, you can reduce the chances of a cyber attack creating a nightmare for your business.
And if you need help making your business more secure, get in touch.

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