Exploit kits are making headlines once again, presenting a burgeoning threat to cybersecurity infrastructures worldwide. Rising sharply in recent months, these kits are streams of automated tools that cybercriminals use to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in software applications. This surge points towards an era where proactive defense mechanisms are more critical than ever.

The working mechanism of exploit kits involves executing code on vulnerable machines, often without the user's knowledge, upon visiting a compromised website. Such kits have a significant impact on businesses, especially those with outdated software lacking timely updates.

A well-known example includes the notorious Angler Exploit Kit, which cybercriminals have leveraged to penetrate networks and install ransomware. It’s a case that rattled the financial industry not too long ago, costing corporations billions of dollars in ransom payments and data recovery efforts. With exploit kits evolving, we see parallels with the infamous 2017 Equifax breach, which was made possible due to unpatched software vulnerabilities.

For IT departments, this underscores the necessity for businesses to adopt stringent cybersecurity strategies. Multi-layered security frameworks are becoming indispensable. From regular software updates and rigorous penetration testing to real-time threat monitoring, it's clear that advanced prevention tactics are no longer optional.

One emergent solution in combating these exploit kits lies in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). These technologies can automate threat detection, analyzing patterns to preemptively identify suspicious activities and respond instantaneously. For instance, security teams are now able to leverage predictive analytics to foresee possible attack vectors and implement risk mitigation measures.

This wave of exploit kits is a wake-up call for the cybersecurity community. Simply relying on old methodologies no longer suffices as threats become increasingly sophisticated. It’s imperative for security professionals and business stakeholders to stay informed about trends and adopt cutting-edge solutions to protect their digital assets.