ISLAMABAD: A global cybersecurity company detected over 33,300 attacks on Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs), in which malicious or unwanted software for PCs were disguised as popular Artificial Intelligence (AI) services.
From January to April 2026, this number has surged by almost five times when compared to the same period in 2025.
A new Kaspersky report revealed threat analysis and mitigation strategies to help SMBs protect themselves against the evolving threat landscape.
At the beginning of 2026 the most common lures in cyberattacks involved malware posing as ChatGPT (42 percent), Claude (24 percent), and DeepSeek (20 percent).
Among unique malicious files detected in the SMB sector and masqueraded as AI services, Kaspersky experts observed mainly different Trojware (Trojans and Trojan-like malware), including those capable of downloading and running other malware on compromised devices. Trojware disguises itself as harmless files to trick users into installing them.
Their functionality may vary depending on the type of the malware. It may include stealing, deleting, blocking, modifying or copying users’ data, as well as other malicious capabilities. Given this, Trojware represents a highly dangerous cyber threat to entrepreneurs and businesses.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026