Originally created for legitimate and advantageous purposes in media & entertainment, art & creativity, and interactive advertisements, deepfake technology is now being exploited by tech-savvy cybercriminals for nefarious purposes.
As the technological innovation in AI hit the road, it has become increasingly effortless for cyber fraudsters to generate highly realistic deepfakes, blurring the boundary between reality and fiction.
This exploitation brings up a crucial question, is the development of technology staying to its intended purposes and creating wonders in the envisioned trajectory? It is certainly not.
AI Deepfakes is Becoming a Growing Concern
At a global scale, there has been a 10x increase in the number of deepfakes between 2022 to 2023, affecting individuals and businesses alike, and severely damaging digital existence.
Not all AI deepfakes are intended for financial gains, spreading misinformation or manipulation, they are largely envisioned to create explicit or sexual images, and women are at great risk of falling victim to deep fake pornography.
Porn deepfakes have become a global and inevitable challenge. A study reveals that 61% of women in the United Kingdom have fallen victim to deepfake pornography.
7 Essential Tips to Safeguard Against AI Deepfake Threats
Anyone having an online presence can be a victim of this evil. AI deep fake technology is getting better with time, and so must our efforts to ward off the ever-evolving evil. The increasing prevalence of AI-generated deepfakes stresses the imperative to take precautionary measures to curb this threat.
1) Be Watchful of Sharing Sensitive Information
Avoid sharing your personal information on social media platforms, as imposters with unethical concerns leave no avenue unexplored to harvest your sensitive information. Staying mysterious and having fewer digital footprints can play a big role in defending against deepfake creation.
2) Apply Watermarks on All Photos
AI algorithms acquire clear and high-resolution images or data to generate highly realistic outputs. Images secured with watermarks make it arduous for imposters to pass off digitally manipulated content as real, increasing security & authenticity.
3) Confirm the Authenticity of Resource Before Trusting
Imagine receiving a call from your bank, asking to share your latest facial images for the e-KYC process and you end up sharing your face images considering the caller to be legitimate. So what’s next, imposters use the acquired information to create deepfakes and plot some illicit activities. It’s suggested to confirm the authenticity of the entities whoever they are, to protect yourself against the unethical motives of cyber fraudsters.
4) Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Requests & Contacts
It’s crucial to exercise action, especially in digital communications, and be watchful of unsolicited requests or contacts to safeguard yourself against digital manipulation. Verify the authenticity and credibility of the requests before proceeding. Staying cautious and being watchful of suspicious requests are pivotal to the fight against the inevitable trap of deep fakes.
5) Keep Digital Account Private
No one can be trusted in the digital world. You don’t know who is keeping an eye on you and waiting for you to post something personal and boom, it’s employed for malicious purposes. Keep your social media platforms private and only add people whom you know, this adds an extra layer of security against unauthorized presence.
6) Implement Two-Factor Authentication for Account Security
Implement two-factor authentication to secure accounts and ward off unauthorized entry. Additionally, use strong and unique, making it difficult for imposters to replicate or spoof.
7) Stay Updated about Latest Cyber-threats
The power of knowledge can’t be overlooked. If you stay informed about the latest cyber threats and malicious methods employed by fraudsters to create deep fakes, there is a high probability that you will be safeguarded.
Final Word
Interestingly, third-party facial recognition solutions can play an essential role in real-time detection and mitigation of AI deepfakes, saving the world from negative impacts. Implement ID verification tools that are reliable and use advanced biometric authentication, ensuring that interactions are being made with real individuals, not fake ones.
The least you can do is to have a basic understanding of the process behind the creation of AI deep fakes to stay ahead of the curve and act accordingly.
