^Watchtower

The internet is entering an AI feedback loop as machine-generated content is scraped and recycled by other AIs, distorting facts and flooding the web with unreliable information. Trust will erode, and people will need to verify nearly everything they read or see. Tech companies and media will push content-signing and authenticity labels, but adoption will lag behind the surge of synthetic data.

Tip: Use a simple second-source rule. Find at least one credible, independent source that confirms a claim—especially for finance, safety, or health. When in doubt, check official sites like company pages, government agencies, or original publishers before you act or share.

Scams are becoming emotionally intelligent. With real-time sentiment analysis, AI can read tone, context, and even hesitation, reshaping the con in milliseconds. Instead of relying on scripts, scammers can now sense fear, trust, and mood to tailor highly personal “empathic scams.”

Staying safe means recognizing not just technical red flags but when you’re being emotionally profiled.

Tip: Empathic scams target feelings before logic. If a message sparks fear, urgency, guilt, or excitement, pause and name the emotion. That simple step interrupts the false sense of intimacy these scams create. Then run the message through a trusted scam detector like Norton AI Scam Assistant or Avast Scam Guardian before you respond.

By 2026, synthetic identities will upend digital verification. AI can already generate full identity kits — realistic IDs, bills, selfies, and even live video or voice samples that pass basic checks. These fabricated personas are flooding financial systems, rental platforms, job sites, and marketplaces, blurring the line between real and fake.

Criminals will use this “identity collapse” to open accounts, secure loans, and move money at scale. Even more dangerous, “identity fusion” attacks will link compromised accounts across services like digital wallets and tax apps, exposing how vulnerable our connected digital lives are.

The response will redefine identity as a living signal rather than a static credential. Expect continuous behavioral validation, adaptive verification layers, and government-backed digital ID systems that prioritize ongoing authentication over one-time proof.

Tip: Only share ID documents through official websites or apps you navigate to directly. Never upload credentials through unsolicited links, and enable transaction alerts or credit freezes to spot and stop suspicious activity early.

By 2026, the browser will no longer be a neutral window into the internet. It will be the primary battleground where criminals automate and scale attacks. As people shop, bank, work, and communicate within a few tabs, attackers are moving into that same space — and using AI to blend in.

Malvertising and search ads are becoming mainstream threats. AI-generated ads can now mimic brand visuals, copywriting, and product listings with near-perfect accuracy, letting fake links appear above real ones. A single click on what looks like your bank, a delivery service, or a retailer can lead to a cloned site built to steal credentials or payments. Entire counterfeit storefronts can spin up in seconds, complete with AI product images, chatbot support, and disappearing tracking numbers.

Inside the browser, malicious scripts, fake update prompts, poisoned pop-ups, and token theft will replace old download-based attacks. Malware will increasingly live inside the page. By stealing authentication tokens, attackers can access accounts without passwords — even savvy users can be fooled when everything around them appears legitimate.

Tip: Pair strong browser hygiene with smart shopping habits. Turn on passkeys or two-factor authentication and review active sessions regularly. Use bookmarks or manually typed addresses for banking and government sites, not ads or sponsored results. When shopping, treat unfamiliar sites like physical stores: look for real contact details, clear return policies, and secure payments. If anything feels vague, run the site through a scam detector before entering information. And choose a browser designed for safety and privacy, like Norton Neo — the first AI browser built to be both safe and intelligent.