In conjunction with its participation at the AI Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya conference, global cybersecurity company, Kaspersky, has revealed that from January to the beginning of May 2026, Kaspersky solutions detected more than 92,000 attacks of malware and potentially unwanted applications worldwide disguised as popular Artificial Intelligence (AI) agents and AI services.

Cybercriminals exploited trusted brands to lure victims into downloading malicious files, with fake ChatGPT applications accounting for 49% of all detected attacks, while Claude and Gemini each represented 18%.

Since the beginning of the year, Kaspersky researchers have identified more than 15,000 samples of malware masquerading as agentic AI software, including fake versions of rapidly growing tools such as OpenClaw. Among these samples were banking trojans, spyware, exploits, and malware downloaders capable of deploying additional malicious payloads.

In May 2026, Kaspersky Global Research and Analysis Team also uncovered a new campaign linked to the Silver Fox advanced persistent threat (APT) group. In this operation, attackers distributed fake Claude AI applications for Windows, macOS, and Linux, targeting users seeking access to AI tools. Once launched, the malicious installers silently deployed malware onto victims’ devices, enabling long-term access to compromised systems and sensitive information.

“The introduction of AI agents into enterprise environments changes the nature of trust itself. Every automated action becomes part of a wider chain of systems and data exchanges, which means security is no longer just about protecting endpoints – it is about controlling how intelligence, permissions, and decisions propagate across interconnected AI-driven processes,” explains Dmitry Galov, Head of Russia and CIS units at Kaspersky Global Research and Analysis Team.

“Users should also keep in mind that attackers are actively leveraging popular AI services as a lure to steal victims’ confidential data and funds. Taking into account the evolution of modern threat landscape, reliable security solutions are becoming an essential part of digital life.”

Kaspersky recommends organisations to protect corporate infrastructure against a wide range of threats by using solutions such as from the Kaspersky Next product line that provide real-time protection, threat visibility, investigation and advanced response capabilities.

If a company lacks cybersecurity personnel, it can adopt managed security services such as Kaspersky Managed Detection and Response (MDR) and / or Incident Response that covers the entire incident management cycle – from threat identification to continuous protection and remediation.

Organisations should also equip their cybersecurity team with in-depth visibility into cyber threats targeting the organisation. For example, the latest Kaspersky Threat Intelligence delivers rich, contextual insights throughout the entire incident management cycle, enabling timely identification of cyber risks. AI-powered open-source intelligence search enhances cybersecurity teams’ ability to uncover and respond to emerging threats with greater precision.

Individual users are advised to stick to AI services from reputable companies with strong privacy and security track records. Avoid using anonymous or unknown bots that could be designed to harvest data. Malicious or fake AI bots may attempt to extract personal information to commit fraud, phishing, or blackmail. To protect your data, use a security solution to prevent visits to phishing sites and stop malware installation.

Identy.io, a United States-based cybersecurity and mobile biometric authentication company, has announced plans to process one billion biometric identity verification transactions in Nigeria within the next few years as digital banking adoption continues to expand across the country.

The company said increasing demand for secure digital identity systems within the banking, telecommunications, and public sectors is creating fresh opportunities for biometric authentication solutions, especially as financial institutions strengthen compliance and anti-fraud measures.

Speaking at an executive roundtable on mobile biometric innovation in Lagos, Jesus Aragon, chief executive officer, Identy.io, said Nigeria’s fast-growing digital financial services sector requires more reliable and scalable identity verification technology to support customer onboarding and transaction security.

He explained that the company’s mobile biometric solution enables users to verify their identities directly from their smartphones without depending on physical scanners, external devices, or centralized processing infrastructure.

The technology supports fingerprint and facial verification while functioning effectively in areas with limited internet connectivity.

According to Aragon, the platform is designed to integrate with Nigeria’s Bank Verification Number (BVN) system and the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), allowing financial institutions to carry out secure remote identity authentication.

He stated that the company’s technology includes liveness detection and deepfake identification features capable of detecting fake fingerprints, manipulated images, masks, and other fraudulent identity attempts during digital onboarding processes.

The Identy.io boss added that the company’s offline verification capability distinguishes it from several existing solutions in the market, noting that biometric authentication can be completed entirely on users’ mobile devices without constant internet access.

He further disclosed that biometric information captured during authentication remains on the user’s device instead of being transferred to external servers or centralized databases, reducing exposure to data breaches and cyberattacks.

Industry stakeholders at the roundtable also discussed the increasing pressure on Nigerian banks to improve customer verification processes following stricter regulatory directives by the Central Bank of Nigeria on Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance and fraud prevention.

Participants noted that agency banking operations in rural and low-connectivity locations continue to face security and onboarding challenges, creating demand for stronger and more flexible authentication systems.

Aragon maintained that biometric authentication could significantly reduce fraud associated with passwords and one-time passwords (OTPs), stressing that biometrics provide stronger identity assurance for financial transactions.

The company also confirmed that it has expanded its footprint across Africa, Latin America, and the United States, with operational presence already established in Nigeria and Kenya.

Aragon expressed confidence that Nigeria’s banking and telecom industries would generate massive biometric verification volumes in the coming years as financial inclusion and digital payment systems continue to deepen nationwide.

TD Africa, in collaboration with Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) Operated by Selectium, hosted a high-level partner engagement event on May 14, 2026, focused on emerging trends shaping the future of enterprise networking and infrastructure transformation.

TD Africa

The engagement brought together key partners to explore how organisations can build smarter, faster, and more secure network infrastructures capable of supporting today’s rapidly evolving digital economy. Central to the discussions was the growing relevance of WiFi 7 and the shift from traditional networking models to intelligent, AI-driven infrastructure ecosystems.

As businesses continue to accelerate digital transformation, conversations at the event centred on a critical question: Is your infrastructure ready for the speed of transformation? From edge-to-cloud connectivity and IoT integration to AI-enabled networking and advanced security frameworks, the session highlighted the increasing demand for agile, scalable, and resilient enterprise solutions.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Ifee Kojo, Country Manager, HPE Operated by Selectium, highlighted HPE’s commitment to helping organisations modernise their infrastructure and navigate the future of connectivity. “HPE is driving transformation across the entire technology ecosystem, from the data centre to the edge, from IoT to AI-powered connectivity.

“Our focus is on helping businesses strengthen security, improve scalability, and build intelligent infrastructures that support innovation and growth.

“Through our strong partner TD Africa, we can extend these solutions more effectively into the market, ensuring organisations have access to the right technologies needed to compete and thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world,” she said.

Also speaking, Chioma Chimere, Coordinating Managing Director at TD Africa, emphasised the importance of future-ready networking in enabling business resilience and long-term digital growth. “Networking today is no longer just about connectivity; it has become the backbone of enterprise transformation.

“As organisations embrace AI, cloud environments, remote operations, and data-driven systems, the need for secure, intelligent, and scalable infrastructure becomes even more critical.

“TD Africa is committed to ensuring our partners are equipped with the right technologies, insights, and support needed to navigate this shift successfully.

“Our collaboration with HPE reflects our shared commitment to helping businesses modernise confidently and prepare for the future of digital innovation,” she stated.

Through strategic collaborations with global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) like HPE, TD Africa continues to strengthen its position as a key distributor of enterprise and networking solutions across Africa, enabling partners and organisations to access cutting-edge technologies backed by technical expertise, market reach, and ecosystem support.