Malwarebytes Report Reveals AI Erosion of Trust, Rising Scam Vulnerabilities — Malwarebytes Inc.

Event summary

Malwarebytes' June 2026 report finds 85% of people struggle to distinguish scams from genuine content, up from 66% in 2025.
50% of respondents experienced AI-driven fraud, with Gen Z most affected (67%).
84% no longer consider video evidence reliable proof due to AI deepfakes.
Only 13% of concerned parents have implemented protective measures like family codewords.
Malwarebytes launched Scam Guard, integrating threat detection with ChatGPT and Claude.

The big picture

Malwarebytes' findings highlight how AI is fundamentally altering the digital trust landscape, creating both opportunities for cybersecurity firms and systemic risks for society. The report underscores a growing generational divide in vulnerability, with younger demographics facing disproportionate exposure to AI-driven fraud. As digital interactions become more sophisticated, the cybersecurity industry must evolve beyond traditional threat detection to address the erosion of fundamental trust mechanisms.

What we're watching

Trust Erosion: How the collapse in digital trust will impact institutional and interpersonal relationships.
Regulatory Response: Whether governments will mandate protective measures against AI-driven identity theft.
Cybersecurity Adaptation: The pace at which cybersecurity firms can develop solutions to match AI-powered threats.