Kaspersky Blocks 140 Million Phishing and Fraud Attempts in the First Quarter of 2026

Illustration of phishing. (Pexels)

JAKARTA - Kaspersky revealed that its anti-phishing technology managed to block more than 140 million phishing and fraud attempts globally during the first quarter (Q1) of 2026.

The high number shows the increasingly massive threat of digital fraud, especially when fraudsters use artificial intelligence (AI) to target victims.

According to Kaspersky's latest survey, more than half of respondents said they had encountered online fraud over the past year, while 45% reported being victims of attacks on their devices, accounts, or data (hacking of social media accounts, data leaks, malware infections, etc.)

The global cybersecurity company also noted that cyber criminals are increasingly quick to take advantage of global trends and events to carry out their actions.

In March 2026, for example, the company's anti-phishing technology detected an increase in fraudulent activity that took advantage of the momentum of the 2026 World Cup through fake sites that imitated the official platform of the tournament.

In addition to utilizing AI, modern fraud campaigns are also supported by personal data resulting from data leaks, information theft malware (infostealer), hacked accounts, and various other sources of data exposure.

The information is then used to create more convincing messages and imitate the identity of the party the victim trusts.

Seeing the trend of increasing the number of fraud, Kaspersky's Vice President of Consumer Business, Marina Titova, emphasized that protecting yourself from digital threats is not enough with the ability to detect yourself.

"AI-based fraud is a new reality. Generated by AI, its volume continues to increase and lurks everywhere Relying on your own ability to detect fraud alone is not enough," said Marina.

According to him, the integration of AI and machine learning technology into security products allows the system to detect fraud patterns that are difficult for humans to recognize and provide real-time protection.