What is a “deepfake” and how to avoid it

In today’s society, there are many digital threats. Our biggest concern might be identity theft. With the rise of artificial intelligence and the speed at which technology is advancing, a new danger called Deepfake has emerged. 

 It uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to manipulate or create videos and photos, making people appear to say or do things that never happened. 

Imagine watching a video where someone you know admits to a crime they never committed, or someone impersonates you to access your bank account. Sounds like science fiction, right? 

In today’s article, we want you to learn what a deepfake is and how to avoid this threat of digital manipulation. 

What is a deepfake? 

A deepfake is an image, video, or audio manipulated using artificial intelligence and deep learning data. In short, this technology replaces a person’s face and voice in an existing video, placing it on another body to simulate that the person, who is the victim of this fraud, is doing or saying something that never actually happened. 

It’s unsettling how deepfakes blur the line between reality and fiction, creating a thin line between right and wrong, as it is a significant technological advance, but its fraudulent use can have severe consequences. 

At first, using deepfakes was fun. It was a trend to see your favorite actor sending you a message or doing something funny, but today, deepfakes are used to deceive. Below are some examples: 

• Voice impersonation: This can be used to impersonate you with your bank or with your family and friends through a simple phone call. 

• Face replacement in an image or video: This manipulates reality, making things appear to happen that never did. It could lead to compromising situations, either criminal or sexual, which could end up in blackmail by cybercriminals. 

• Altering speech: By manipulating lip movements and mimicking the victim’s voice, deepfakes can create fake news, where a politician says something that could compromise global political situations. Manipulating the media is a powerful tool for driving unwanted decisions. 

These are just a few situations that deepfakes can cause. Ultimately, they are used maliciously to manipulate information, generate distrust, and alter our perception of reality, influencing the decisions these videos can provoke. 

Tips to avoid deepfakes 

These videos, images, or audios manipulated by artificial intelligence have the potential to deceive and spread misinformation. The following tips can help you avoid becoming a deepfake victim: 

• Protect your digital footprint: Use secure passwords and two-factor authentication, such as facial recognition, a code sent to your phone, or even a separate app as a password manager. Control the information you share about yourself on social media, especially who has access to it. 

• Verify the source and authenticity of the content you see online: Before sharing or trusting something that has an impact on social media, confirm that it is real. Keep a critical mindset, as the content may not be genuine. 

• Verify the sender’s identity in your messages: Deepfakes will attempt to manipulate your emotions to make you download malicious software or share personal information through a link. 

• Education: Stay informed about new technologies to better equip yourself to identify these videos. Learn to spot signs like unnatural movements or sudden changes—visual inconsistencies should raise suspicion. 

• Report false content: If you identify a deepfake, report it to limit its reach. 

If you have been a victim of a deepfake, we recommend consulting a lawyer specializing in cybersecurity and data privacy. Although it is challenging with such a rapidly evolving sector, laws are catching up with this issue. 

Unfortunately, scams are part of our daily lives. We hope this article has helped you understand this new form of fraud and provided you with tools to confront it. 

For any questions, you can also contact the National Cybersecurity Institute for advice on cybersecurity. 

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