Deepfake technology has rapidly advanced and become widespread in recent years. This technology can create convincing artificial media, like videos of one person’s face on another’s body. The FBI has warned the public about malicious actors creating synthetic content, commonly referred to as “deepfakes,” by manipulating benign photos and videos to create explicit content and sextortion schemes. Criminals use deepfake tools to create fake pornographic videos of people and then demand payment from them to not disseminate them. In this blog post, we will explain the dangers of deepfakes to all the information we as a society consume and provide tips on how to minimize the dangers in our own lives.
The Dangers of Deepfakes
Deepfakes can be used for a variety of malicious purposes include:
1. Sextortion
The FBI has warned that malicious actors are using deepfakes to create explicit content and sextortion schemes. Criminals use deepfake tools to create fake pornographic videos of people and then demand payment from them to not disseminate them. They sometimes circulate them on social media, public forums, or pornographic websites. Criminals will often insist that victims, some of them children, pay them in money, gift cards, or even in authentic sexual imagery, and will threaten to publish the deepfakes on the open internet or send them to friends and family if they refuse.
2. Misinformation
Deepfakes can be used to spread misinformation and propaganda. For example, a deepfake video of a political candidate saying something they never actually said could be used to sway an election. Deepfakes can also be used to create fake news stories or to impersonate public figures.
3. Fraud
Deepfakes can be used for fraud. For example, a deepfake video of a CEO could be used to trick employees into transferring money to a fraudulent account. Deepfakes can also be used to impersonate people in order to gain access to sensitive information.
4. Cyberbullying
Deepfakes can be used for cyberbullying. For example, a deepfake video of a student could be created and shared on social media in order to humiliate them.
Tips to Minimize the Dangers of Deepfakes
Here are some tips to minimize the dangers of deepfakes in our own lives:
1. Be cautious about what you share online
The FBI recommends being cautious about what you share online. Criminals often use images and clips commonly found on victim’s social media accounts to create deepfakes. Be careful about what you share online, and consider making your social media accounts private.
2. Be skeptical of videos and images that seem too good to be true
If a video or image seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be skeptical of videos and images that seem too good to be true, and do some research to verify their authenticity.
3. Use reverse image search
If you suspect that an image or video might be a deepfake, use reverse image search to see if it has been used elsewhere on the internet. If it has, it might be a deepfake.
4. Use two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication can help protect you from deepfake fraud. If a criminal tries to impersonate you, two-factor authentication can prevent them from gaining access to your accounts.
5. Use strong passwords
Using strong passwords can help protect you from deepfake fraud. If a criminal tries to impersonate you, a strong password can prevent them from gaining access to your accounts.
6. Report deepfakes
If you come across a deepfake, report it to the appropriate authorities. Reporting deepfakes can help prevent them from being used for malicious purposes.
Conclusion
Deepfake technology has rapidly advanced and become widespread in recent years. Deepfakes can be used for a variety of malicious purposes, including sextortion, misinformation, fraud, and cyberbullying. To minimize the dangers of deepfakes in our own lives, we should be cautious about what we share online, be skeptical of videos and images that seem too good to be true, use reverse image search, use two-factor authentication, use strong passwords, and report deepfakes. By following these tips, we can help prevent deepfakes from being used for malicious purposes.
