Have you ever seen a video of your favorite celebrity saying something outrageous, only to find out later it was completely fabricated? Or perhaps you’ve received an urgent email from your boss that seemed off? Welcome to the world of deepfakes, a rapidly evolving technology that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to create synthetic media, often in the form of videos or audio recordings. While deepfakes can sometimes be used for creative purposes like entertainment, their potential for misuse is alarming.
At TechNellogic, we understand how important it is for small businesses in Missoula, MT, and beyond to stay informed about the latest cybersecurity threats. The growing threat of deepfakes are one of the newest challenges that businesses face, and knowing how to spot them is crucial to protecting your organization.
Bad actors use deepfakes to spread misinformation, damage reputations, and manipulate markets. They’re also a tool in phishing attacks, making it essential to recognize the signs of different types of deepfakes and protect your business from falling victim.
What Are the Different Types of Deepfakes and How Can You Spot Them?
Face-Swapping Deepfakes
This is the most common type of deepfake, where one person’s face is superimposed onto another’s body in a video. These can be highly convincing when created with sophisticated AI algorithms, but there are ways to detect them:
Look for inconsistencies: Pay close attention to lighting, skin tones, and facial expressions. If something seems off—like unnatural hair movement or misalignment between the face and neck—it might be a deepfake.
Check the source: Was the video shared on a credible news site, or did it come from an unverified social media page? Always verify where the content is coming from.
Listen carefully: Does the voice match the person’s usual tone and pitch? Discrepancies in voice quality can be a sign of deepfake manipulation.
Deepfake Audio
Deepfake audio replicates a person’s voice and speech patterns. Scammers can use this technology to make fake audio recordings, creating confusion and spreading false information.
Pay attention to quality: Deepfake audio often sounds robotic or unnatural. Listen for pauses or inconsistent pronunciation.
Consider the content: Does the message sound out of character for the person it’s supposedly from? If the tone or content feels off, it could be a deepfake.
Verify the message: Look for independent verification of the audio content, especially if it’s being used to make critical decisions.
Text-Based Deepfakes
A newer form of deepfake, AI-generated written content, can mimic a person’s writing style. This is particularly dangerous in phishing attacks, where scammers use fake messages to trick victims into sharing sensitive information.
Examine the writing: Does the tone, style, and vocabulary match the person or publication? Unusual phrasing or grammatical errors can be red flags.
Fact-check the content: Verify the accuracy of any information in the text. Scammers often use deepfake text to spread misinformation quickly.
Be cautious with emotional triggers: Scammers may use emotionally charged language to manipulate you into making rash decisions. Always double-check emotionally provocative messages.
Deepfake Videos with Object Manipulation
These deepfakes go beyond altering faces and voices. They involve AI manipulation of objects within a video, making it seem as though something happened when it didn’t.
Watch for unusual movements: Do objects in the video move naturally according to the laws of physics? If something looks off, like sudden changes in size or strange lighting effects, the video may have been manipulated.
Seek out the original footage: If you can find the original source of a video, you can often spot the changes made by deepfake technology.
Protecting Your Business from Deepfake Threats
At TechNellogic, we help small businesses in Missoula, MT, and across the region, stay ahead of the latest cybersecurity risks, including deepfakes. Staying vigilant and applying critical thinking when consuming media are key ways to protect yourself and your business. Familiarize yourself with the different types of deepfakes, learn to recognize potential red flags, and verify information from reliable sources.
Get a Device Security Checkup from TechNellogic
Deepfakes are increasingly being used in phishing scams. Just by clicking on a deepfake, you might unknowingly download malware onto your device. TechNellogic offers a comprehensive device security checkup for businesses in Missoula and surrounding areas to ensure your systems are free of threats.
Contact us today to schedule a security audit or learn more about how our managed IT services can help protect your business from emerging threats like deepfakes.
Article used with permission from The Technology Press.
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