05-31-26 The Nigerian Prince Got a Robot Upgrade: How AI Is Supercharging Scams (and What You Can Do About It. Is Your Old Computer a Security Risk?

Remember those clumsy Nigerian prince emails with laughable grammar and obvious red flags? Those days are over. Today’s scammers have a powerful new partner — artificial intelligence — and the results are frighteningly convincing. In this episode of Tech Talk on WDBO, David Leavitt from Refresh Computers and Greg Rhodes break down how AI is fueling a new generation of cyberattacks, what tools are fighting back, whether your old computer is making you a target, and what Florida’s proposed AI Bill of Rights could mean for you.

Listen to the Episode

AI as the Weapon: Scams Have Never Looked This Real

The World Economic Forum recently released a report identifying AI as the number one cyber disruptor in the world. A staggering 94% of organizations surveyed say AI is the top driver of cyber risk in 2026. Meanwhile, the European Central Bank is warning that AI-powered attacks are arriving faster than most institutions can defend against them — and American banks face the same threats, even if they aren’t saying so publicly.

So what’s changed? For years, cyberattacks relied on humans manually typing code, searching for backdoors, and crafting phishing emails one at a time. Now, a single person armed with AI tools can do what used to take 50 hackers an entire day — in just minutes. The barrier to entry for cybercrime has dropped dramatically.

Phishing Emails That Look Perfect

Remember when you could spot a scam email by its bad grammar and misspelled words? AI has fixed all of that for criminals. Modern phishing emails read perfectly — no typos, no awkward phrasing, and no more “Dear Valued Customer” giveaways. AI scrapes your social media, LinkedIn, and even public records like property records and court filings to craft messages that feel personal and legitimate.

Deepfake Voice and Video Calls

Criminals can now clone someone’s voice with just a few seconds of audio. They can also create AI-generated video calls using photos scraped from social media — the same technology that makes those fun AI video tools work. Except in this case, it’s being used to impersonate someone you trust and ask you for money or sensitive information.

If you receive an unexpected call, text, or email asking for money or personal information — hang up. Only call back using a number you already know is real. Never call the number they provide.

Smaller Banks Are Bigger Targets

While JP Morgan Chase is spending millions on AI cybersecurity, your local credit union may not have the same resources. Cybercriminals know this and deliberately target smaller institutions because the chances of breaking through are much higher. AI can identify weaknesses in outdated banking infrastructure in seconds.

AI as the Shield: Fighting Back with Smart Defense

The good news? AI isn’t just a weapon — it’s also one of the most powerful defensive tools available today.

• 24/7 network monitoring: AI security tools can watch your network traffic around the clock and spot unusual activity instantly.
• Faster threat detection: Automated systems can catch an intrusion in seconds instead of days, dramatically shrinking the window for zero-day attacks.
• Proactive vulnerability discovery: Anthropic (the makers of Claude) recently used AI to find thousands of hidden security flaws — some 30 years old — and fix them before hackers could exploit them.

Cybersecurity hiring is surging as companies look for people who understand both AI and security. If you’re considering a career in tech, this is one of the most in-demand fields right now.

Is Your Old Computer a Security Risk?

All the AI-powered security tips in the world won’t help if your computer is running an outdated operating system. Windows 10 reached its end of life in October 2025, which means it no longer receives critical security updates. Every hacker in the world knows that Windows 10 machines are vulnerable now.

If you’re still running Windows 10 and connecting to the internet — especially to access your bank — you are taking a significant risk. It’s time to upgrade.

The good news is that many computers can still be upgraded to Windows 11 without buying a new machine. If your computer has been prompting you to update, don’t keep skipping it. And if your machine isn’t compatible with Windows 11, it may be time to consider a replacement.

Here are some signs your computer might be compromised or at risk:

• It’s suddenly running much slower than usual
• You’re still on Windows 10 with no security updates
• Your antivirus software hasn’t been updated since October 2025
• You’re seeing unexpected pop-ups or strange behavior

Florida’s Proposed AI Bill of Rights

Governor Ron DeSantis is pushing an AI Bill of Rights through the Florida legislature. The proposal includes several notable provisions:

• Parental controls: Protections for children interacting with AI systems
• Mental health restrictions: Banning AI from acting as a mental health therapist for minors
• Human oversight requirements: Protections against AI making major decisions about loans, jobs, housing, and insurance without human review

This isn’t the first attempt — the Florida House previously rejected sweeping AI restrictions, with tech industry lobbyists arguing it would hurt innovation and push companies out of the state. David and Greg both lean toward the view that AI regulation would be better handled at the federal level rather than creating a patchwork of state-by-state rules.

Florida already has one AI law on the books: SB 484 requires all AI data centers to pay for their own utilities and cannot shift those costs to customers.

Search Engines Beyond Google’s AI Experience

If you’ve noticed Google search results feel more cluttered with ads and AI-generated summaries, you’re not alone. TechCrunch recently published an article titled “Six Search Engines Worth Trying Now That Google Isn’t Really Google Anymore.” Here are some alternatives worth exploring:

• DuckDuckGo — Privacy-focused with growing AI integration and no targeted ads
• Brave Search — Independent search index with strong privacy protections
• Startpage — Google results without the tracking
• Bing with Copilot — Microsoft’s AI-powered search that’s more transparent than Google’s approach, though data can sometimes be slightly outdated

Protect Yourself: Quick Action Steps

• Enable two-factor authentication on all accounts — email, banking, and social media
• Use a password manager and never reuse passwords across accounts
• Never trust unexpected requests for money or personal information, no matter how legitimate they appear
• Upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 immediately, or disconnect from the internet
• Be cautious about what you share on social media — scammers are scraping it with AI
• Monitor children’s access to AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude

Let Refresh Computers Help You Stay Safe

Whether you need help upgrading from Windows 10, want a free diagnostic to check if your machine has been compromised, or just aren’t sure if that suspicious email is real — Refresh Computers is here for you. Call the free tech support hotline at 407-478-8200, visit refreshcomputers.net, or stop by the store at 820 E. State Road 434 in Longwood, open Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 7 PM. With 26 years of serving Central Florida, the team at Refresh Computers will give you honest answers and affordable solutions to keep you safe in the age of AI.