Artificial Intelligence (AI) is moving fast—and yes, it’s changing the way we all do business. But while AI has the potential to boost productivity and simplify tasks, it’s also giving cybercriminals some pretty powerful new tools. That’s the real concern.
At Information Management Systems (IMS), we’re helping small businesses across Fargo, Moorhead, and the surrounding region stay protected. Here’s what you should actually be watching out for—and how to keep your team one step ahead.
🎭 Deepfakes Are Getting Better. Your Video Calls Might Not Be What They Seem.
One of the most unsettling developments? AI-generated deepfakes. These are fake videos or voices that mimic real people—often used in social engineering scams.
There was a recent case where an employee joined a video call with what they thought were members of their leadership team. The faces looked familiar. The voices sounded right. But the entire thing was fake. The goal? Trick the employee into downloading a malicious tool—resulting in a full-scale breach.
For Fargo-area businesses, this should be a wake-up call. Remote meetings are common. But if something seems “off,” trust your gut. Look for:
- Slight facial glitches
- Delays or unnatural movement
- Audio that doesn’t quite sync
And if you’re unsure, give us a call. IMS is known for fast, reliable support, and we’ll help you verify before it becomes a problem.
📬 AI-Powered Phishing Emails Are Smarter. Don’t Let Them Fool Your Team.
Phishing emails have been around for a while. What’s new is how sophisticated they’ve become, thanks to AI.
Forget the obvious typos or sketchy grammar. Today’s phishing emails can sound polished and professional—sometimes even mimicking a co-worker’s tone.
Attackers are also using AI to translate scams into multiple languages, making them scalable and harder to detect. That means small businesses in North Dakota and across the Midwest are now just as likely to be targets as anyone else.
Here’s what still works:
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA) – Even if someone gets a password, they likely won’t get past MFA.
- Security awareness training – Your team is your first line of defense. We help train them to spot red flags.
- Real-time monitoring – IMS keeps a watchful eye on your systems so threats don’t go undetected.
🦴 Fake AI Tools Are Just Malware in Disguise
Cybercriminals are taking advantage of the AI hype. They’re creating fake “AI tools” that promise to generate images, videos, or help with productivity—but secretly install malware on your device.
One TikTok account, for example, shared a “hack” to get access to premium AI tools like ChatGPT. Instead, it was pushing out malware.
If you’re ever unsure about a download or tool, ask us first. Our team at IMS is known for being friendly, knowledgeable, and fast to respond. We’ll review it for you, no hassle, no finger-pointing.
👻 Don’t Let AI Threats Haunt Your Business
Here’s the truth: AI isn’t going anywhere. And while the bad actors are getting smarter, so can you—with the right IT partner on your side.
At IMS, we help small businesses across Fargo, Grand Forks, Detroit Lakes, Wahpeton, and the surrounding region stay safe, secure, and stress-free. From employee training to layered cybersecurity solutions, our job is to protect your business like it’s our own.
Let’s chase those AI ghosts out of your systems—before they become a real problem.
📅 Schedule your free discovery call today and see why local businesses trust IMS year after year.
