Trusting what you see online is getting harder than ever because technology allows people to impersonate others, including public figures and world leaders. So, that celebrity promoting a giveaway might not be real, and that author spewing hate online might just be a deepfake. The voice message from your uncle? Could be fake. And you could be the victim of a scam.
In a nutshell, everything can be faked. However, there’s one silver lining: the tech is advanced, but you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to decipher when something isn’t real. You just need to be aware and to know the tools that might help you protect yourself in this new digital landscape.
Deepfakes: What are they and why they matter
Deepfakes are usually videos or voice recordings that are created or modified using artificial intelligence to make them look and sound real. Criminals tend to use them for phishing scams, social engineering attacks, and even fake endorsements.
Now you might think, “There’s no way I’d fall for that”, but in reality, studies show that we’re more susceptible than we’d like to admit. A study done in 2023 revealed that more than 40% of adults in the U.S. had trouble distinguishing a real video from an AI-generated one.
Unfortunately, the danger isn’t just in scammers impersonating celebrities, but in the fact that they could make deepfakes of your boss or relatives and scam you a lot more easily than before.
3 signs you’re looking at a deepfake
There’s no need to have high-tech software to spot a deepfake or an elaborate scam. Here are some signs you should be able to spot right away:
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1. Weird expressions or facial movements
If their lips are out of sync with their words, or if they’re blinking too slowly, you should be skeptical of what you’re seeing. AI still has a lot of trouble with microexpressions, so watch out for those details if you’re unsure of what you’re seeing!
2. Weird shadows and strange lighting
When a deepfake is well-made, the face might look incredibly realistic, but the surrounding elements might not be. Inconsistencies in lighting are a telltale sign, so pay attention to the ears, neck, and background.
3. Toneless voice, robotic audio
AI-generated voices lack emotional nuance in most cases. They might be talking about something super difficult, but the voice will feel “flat”. Pause and investigate if you think the voice doesn’t match the expression or emotion of the person on the screen.
Common AI scams out there
Unfortunately, the misuse of AI extends to emails, fake documents, and clone voices aside from videos. Here’s how you might encounter them in real life:
The “CEO Email” scam
In this type of fraud, you get an urgent email from your boss, and they ask for a confidential wire transfer. It can sound very convincing regarding tone, formatting, and even signature. However, your boss might be in a meeting downstairs.
One thing you can do is to double-check a weird request via a phone call or Slack message asking about it. Even if it’s confidential, it’s better to be discreet and verify.
The “family emergency” voice clone
This is a very common one. You basically get a phone call and it’s your relative, saying they’re in trouble and they need money to get out of it. It can even sound exactly like your relative, but it might not be. Scammers have voice cloning software. To avoid falling for this, agree on a family-safe word for emergencies—something only your family knows.
Fake ads and influencers
You might be scrolling through your favorite social media platform, and you find an influencer “endorsing” a crypto platform in one of their videos. This might be a deepfake! Always go to the influencer’s official pages to verify that this is real. Never trust reposted videos, not even if they appear in a news outlet, as these may not have been thoroughly verified.
Simple tools and habits to protect yourself
Staying safe is easier than you think, and you don’t need to waste all your money or panic while you’re at it. It’s about staying informed and being strategic with your efforts.
Begin with your smart devices
Scammers are always on the lookout for software vulnerability, and they might exploit unsecured networks through smart devices, like your fridge or even the TV. If you’re worried, you could consider investing in a VPN smart TV setup, encrypting your internet connection and preventing people and organizations to track you.
Avoid oversharing online
The more stuff you post about, especially with your voice and face, and for a public profile, the easier it is to make a deepfake or a voice clone of you. Think before sharing personal videos, protect your right to privacy, and avoid both disclosing your location and adding everyone to your personal network.
Conclusion
AI-generated scams evolve fast, and being informed about them is paramount. There’s no need to live in fear, but being smart about things is essential. Build some digital literacy, prioritize your safety, and practice a little bit to know what to look for, with guidance from ambitodigital.