Keep your identity safe - Deepfake Videos

Sitting in team meetings and video conferences has become a standard part of our everyday lives. Whether it’s a meeting at work or scrolling through social media watching videos of celebrities, videos are everywhere. But with cyber threats and scams on the rise, how can you trust what you’re seeing? The rise of deep-fake technology could make it challenging to determine whether what you are watching is real or fake.

What is Deepfake Technology?

Deepfake technology uses AI and machine learning to create realistic audio and video spoofs. These spoofs combine real footage of one person with the words or actions of another. While deep-fake technology has been around for years, it is now easier to use and harder to recognise. For example, there are mobile apps that allow you to replace a celebrity’s face with your own to create surprisingly realistic videos.

How could Cybercriminals use this technology?

There are several ways that cybercriminals could make use of deep-fake technology. One way cybercriminals are using this technology is to impersonate celebrities. Spoofing influential people could be used to spread false information designed to mislead you intentionally. This is a tactic known as disinformation. On a smaller scale, this technology could be used to impersonate executives in your organisation. Imagine receiving a phone call from your CEO asking you to send money or confidential information. However, it isn’t your CEO, but a cybercriminal spoofing their voice with deep-fake technology!

What can you do to stay safe?

Our TOP tips to stay safe from deep-fake spoofs are:

-          Always be suspicious of videos that contain shocking or controversial claims. This could be disinformation in action.

-          Always check the source. For example, if you are watching a celebrity’s video on social media, make sure it is posted on their verified profile.

-          Always verify before taking action. If you receive a call with urgency to send bank details, you should ask to talk in person before sending them.

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