Deepfakes: The Growing Cybersecurity Threat
Technology is evolving faster than ever, and with it comes new risks that most people never imagined. One of the most concerning trends today is the rise of deepfakes, or AI-generated videos, images, or audio recordings that mimic real people with frightening accuracy. This technology has made it harder to trust what’s real online and has quickly become a powerful tool for cybercriminals. In this blog, we’ll discuss how deepfakes work and how you can protect yourself from becoming victim to one.
How Deepfakes Work
Deepfakes are created using artificial intelligence, specifically machine learning models that analyze thousands of real images, videos, or audio clips of a person. The AI then learns to replicate their appearance or voice, producing highly realistic results. To the untrained eye, a deepfake can look completely authentic.
Spotting deepfakes can be difficult, but there are a few things you can look out for that may help you identify one. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), some common flaws are inconsistent eye blinking, mismatched earrings, or lack of definition in some features.
Why Are Deepfakes a Cybersecurity Concern
While deepfakes can be harmless when used in entertainment or education purposes, cybercriminals have found ways to weaponize them:
Phishing Scams: Criminals can use deepfake videos or voice recordings to scam victims. (e.g. Impersonating an executive and tricking employees into transferring money or revealing sensitive information.)
Social Engineering: Manipulating friends or family members of an individual. (e.g. A fake video of a coworker or friend asking for a “favor” that can trick victims into taking actions they normally wouldn’t.)
Reputation Damage: Spreading false information through deepfakes can tarnish personal or corporate reputations, creating distrust.
Political Interference: Deepfakes can be used to influence public opinion, spreading misinformation faster than it can be debunked.
How You Can Protect Yourself From Deepfakes
The good news is that you don’t have to be a cybersecurity expert to defend yourself. Here are some practical steps:
- Verify Before You Trust: Don’t act on surprising requests from emails, texts, or videos without confirming through a trusted source.
- Look for Red Flags: Deepfakes often have small glitches like unnatural blinking, lip-sync issues, or odd background distortions.
- Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Even if someone impersonates your boss or family member, MFA can stop them from accessing your accounts.
- Rely on Reputable News Sources: If you see a shocking video online, cross-check it with trusted media outlets before sharing.
- Stay Educated: Cybercriminals thrive on confusion. The more you know about deepfakes, the harder it is for scammers to trick you.
To protect yourself from being used in a deepfake, McAfee recommends tightening up your social media privacy settings and being cautious of what you share online.
Deepfakes are more than just a technological advancement, they’re a real cybersecurity threat. As the technology becomes more advanced, spotting what’s real and what’s fake will only get harder. By staying aware and practicing good digital habits, you can protect yourself from becoming the next victim of a deepfake scam.
