Artificial intelligence is helping cybersecurity companies develop stronger defences, but it is also giving criminals faster and more convincing ways to deceive their victims.
Gen Digital reported that growing anxiety surrounding AI-enabled fraud has become one of the main reasons new customers are subscribing to its security products. The company subsequently raised its financial expectations for the full fiscal year.
Gen now expects fiscal 2027 revenue of between $5.375 billion and $5.475 billion. Its previous forecast placed revenue between $5.325 billion and $5.425 billion.
The company also increased its adjusted earnings forecast to between $2.87 and $2.97 per share, compared with its earlier projection of $2.85 to $2.95.
For the quarter ending 3 July, Gen generated revenue of $1.336 billion, representing a 6% increase from $1.257 billion during the comparable period. When adjusted for differences in the reporting periods and acquisitions, the company said revenue grew by approximately 11%.
Gen Digital owns several widely recognised consumer-security brands, including Norton, Avast, AVG, Avira and LifeLock. Its products provide antivirus protection, identity monitoring, virtual private networks, scam detection and other online-safety services.
Traditional phishing attempts were often recognisable through spelling mistakes, unusual formatting or poorly written messages. Generative AI now allows criminals to produce polished emails, realistic customer-service conversations and personalised requests in seconds.
Voice-cloning and deepfake technology have created additional risks. Criminals can imitate the voices or appearances of relatives, company executives and public figures, making fraudulent requests appear more believable.
Gen Chief Executive Vincent Pilette said consumer concern about AI-driven fraud is contributing to new customer growth. Membership of Norton 360, the company’s combined security and anti-malware service, has also continued to increase.
Cybersecurity providers are responding by applying AI to the defensive side of the contest. Norton’s protection tools can analyse suspicious messages, links, emails and images, while its Genie assistant helps users assess whether communications may be fraudulent.
This creates an unusual technological cycle. As criminals use AI to improve scams, consumers buy AI-assisted security products to protect themselves. Attackers then study those defences and develop new methods, forcing security companies to update their technology continuously.
The growth also demonstrates that modern cybersecurity is no longer concerned only with viruses infecting computers. Increasingly, the target is the person using the device. Criminals attempt to manipulate emotions such as fear, urgency, trust or excitement before persuading victims to transfer money or disclose sensitive information.
Financial security has consequently become an important part of Gen’s strategy. The company expects services connected to financial wellness and identity protection to contribute approximately $100 million in additional revenue over the next 18 months.
However, software alone cannot prevent every attack. Users must still verify unexpected requests, avoid sharing authentication codes, use strong passwords and contact organisations through independently confirmed channels when suspicious messages arrive.
Gen Digital’s improved forecast shows that AI-generated fraud has become more than a technical concern. It is now reshaping consumer behaviour and creating a rapidly expanding market for services designed to determine what—and who—can still be trusted online.
