Every year, Kaspersky experts briefly turn into soothsayers. No, our colleagues don\u2019t reach for crystal balls, tarot cards or horoscopes to see into the cybersecurity future; their predictions are based on an analysis of the global trends and threats we encounter in our daily work.<\/p>\n
And they\u2019re often spot-on: for 2024, we predicted<\/a> a rise in scams tied to play-to-earn (P2E) games<\/a>, the proliferation of voice deepfakes<\/a>, and other trends.<\/p>\n Now, let\u2019s look at which cyberthreats and trends we believe will dominate in 2025:<\/p>\n In 2025, we expect artificial intelligence to solidify its role in our everyday lives. Major platforms like Google and Bing have integrated AI into search results over the past year, and users worldwide are hooked on ChatGPT and its many counterparts. Predicting how exactly AI will develop is tricky, but one thing is certain: what\u2019s popular with regular users is inevitably twice as popular with scammers. Therefore, we urge you to exercise caution when using AI tools \u2014 and remind you that throughout 2024, we repeatedly reported on the associated threats.<\/p>\n How hackers can read your chats with ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot<\/a><\/p>\n How to use ChatGPT, Gemini, and other AI securely<\/a><\/p>\n Trojans in AI models<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n With the popularization of artificial intelligence in 2025, the associated risks will be seen more clearly and frequently. Malicious actors are already adept at exploiting AI, so we should expect even more problems, such as those linked to deepfakes<\/a>.<\/p>\n Fraudsters never miss major releases in the entertainment industry, and 2025 will be no exception. While gamers<\/a> eagerly anticipate long-awaited titles like Mafia: Old Country, Civilization VII, and Death Stranding 2, attackers are already devising new schemes involving fake preorders and digital keys. We won\u2019t even mention the dangers of downloading games from torrent sites \u2014 the risks are abundantly clear.<\/p>\n Movie enthusiasts won\u2019t be overlooked either<\/a>, as scammers join the rest of us in anticipating sequels and remakes like Superman, Jurassic World Rebirth, Captain America: Brave New World, Return to Silent Hill, and Tron: Ares. Be especially cautious \u2014 fraudsters may offer tickets to early screenings, sell fake merchandise, and exploit the love of cinema in every possible way. So get some reliable protection<\/a>\u00a0to be entertained securely.<\/p>\n In recent years, the world has shifted<\/a> significantly toward subscription-based models for goods and services, and scammers have capitalized on the trend \u2014 just think of the fake Telegram Premium subscription scam we\u2019ve detailed on our blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n As the number of subscription services continues to grow, some users might be tempted to \u201cbuy a subscription at a discount\u201d or even \u201cdownload the program for free\u201d, playing right into the hands of scammers. Remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Download programs and apps only from official sources, and ensure your devices have reliable protection<\/a>, as malware can even be found in legitimate app stores<\/a>.<\/p>\n In Australia, access to popular social-media platforms has already been banned<\/a> for all children under 16 without exception. Ten years ago, such an initiative would have been laughed off: \u201cJust set your age to over 16 and carry on as usual\u201d.<\/em> But advancements in AI have changed everything. Reliable age verification systems are now being implemented, making it much harder to bypass such restrictions. The future of children\u2019s access to social media, not only in Australia but worldwide, depends largely on the effectiveness of these systems.<\/p>\n If successful, this practice could easily be adopted by other countries, starting with Australia\u2019s closest economic partners. While a complete ban on social media in 2025 seems unlikely, it\u2019s highly probable that similar practices will be introduced elsewhere, leading to restrictions for certain user groups.<\/p>\n Good news for anyone concerned about their personal data privacy: in 2025, users will gain greater control over their information! This is thanks to the gradual expansion of rights related to data portability<\/a>, which may simplify the transfer of data between the platforms processing it.<\/p>\n\n
AI will become an everyday work tool<\/h2>\n
Scammers look forward to new games and movies<\/h2>\n
Subscription scams will flourish<\/h2>\n
Social networks may be banned<\/h2>\n
User rights over personal data will expand<\/h2>\n