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Showing posts with label Deepfake Technology. Show all posts
Vulnerability management
Artificial Intelligence Cyber Security Deepfake Technology Threat Landscape Vulnerability management

Deepfakes and AI’s New Threat to Cyber Security

 

With its potential to manipulate reality, violate privacy, and facilitate crimes like fraud and character assassination, deepfake technology presents significant risks to celebrities, prominent individuals, and the general public. This article analyses recent incidents which bring such risks to light, stressing the importance of vigilance and preventative steps.

In an age where technology has advanced at an unprecedented rate, the introduction of deepfake technologies, such as stable diffusion software, presents a serious and concerning threat. This software, which was previously only available to trained experts, is now shockingly accessible to the general public, creating severe issues about privacy, security, and the integrity of digital content.

The alarming ease with which steady diffusion software can be downloaded and used has opened a Pandora's box of possible abuse. With a few clicks, anyone with basic technological knowledge can access these tools, which can generate hyper-realistic deepfakes. This programme, which employs sophisticated artificial intelligence algorithms, can modify photographs and videos to the point that the generated content appears astonishingly real, blurring the line between truth and deception. 

This ease of access significantly reduces the barrier to entry for developing deepfakes, democratising a technology that was previously only available to individuals with significant computational resources and technical experience. Anyone with a simple computer and internet access can now enjoy the benefits of dependable diffusion software. This development has significant ramifications for personal privacy and security. It raises serious concerns about the potential for abuse, particularly against prominent figures, celebrities, and high-net-worth individuals, who are frequently the target of such malicious activity. Rise in incidents 

Targeting different sectors 

Deepfakes: According to the World Economic Forum, the number of deepfake videos online has increased by an astonishing 900% every year. The surge in cases of harassment, revenge, and crypto frauds highlights an increasing threat to everyone, especially those in the public eye or with significant assets. 

Elon Musk impersonation: In one noteworthy case, scammers used a deepfake video of Elon Musk to promote a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme, causing large financial losses for people misled by the hoax. This instance highlights the potential for deepfakes to be utilised in sophisticated financial crimes against naïve investors.

Targeting organisations: Deepfakes offer a significant threat to organisations, with reports of extortion, blackmail, and industrial espionage. A prominent case involves fraudsters tricking a bank manager in the UAE with a voice deepfake, resulting in a $35 million robbery. In another case, scammers used a deepfake to deceive Binance, a large cryptocurrency platform, during an online encounter.

Conclusion 

The incidents mentioned above highlight the critical need for safeguards against deepfake technology. This is where services like Loti come in, providing tools to detect and counteract unauthorised usage of a person's image or voice. Celebrities, high-net-worth individuals, and corporations use such safeguards to protect not only their privacy and reputation, but also against potential financial and emotional harm.

Finally, as deepfake technology evolves and presents new issues, proactive measures and increased knowledge can help reduce its risks. Companies like Loti provide a significant resource in this continuous battle, helping to maintain personal and professional integrity in the digital age.
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Technology
AI Cybersecurity Data Breaches Deepfake Technology Digital Security Frank Abagnale online accounts passkey authentication Phishing Scams Social Engineering Technology

Expert Urges iPhone and Android Users to Brace for 'AI Tsunami' Threat to Bank Accounts

 

In an interview with Techopedia, Frank Abagnale, a renowned figure in the field of security, provided invaluable advice for individuals navigating the complexities of cybersecurity in today's digital landscape. Abagnale, whose life inspired the Steven Spielberg film "Catch Me If You Can," emphasized the escalating threat posed by cybercrime, projected to reach a staggering $10.5 trillion by 2025, according to Cybersecurity Ventures.

Addressing the perpetual intersection of technology and crime, Abagnale remarked, "Technology breeds crime. It always has and always will." He highlighted the impending challenges brought forth by artificial intelligence (AI), particularly its potential to fuel a surge in various forms of cybercrimes and scams. Abagnale cautioned against the rising threat of deepfake technology, which enables the fabrication of convincing multimedia content, complicating efforts to discern authenticity online.

Deepfakes, generated by AI algorithms, can produce deceptive images, videos, and audio mimicking real individuals, often exploited by cybercriminals to orchestrate elaborate scams and extortion schemes. Abagnale stressed the indispensability of education in combating social engineering tactics, emphasizing the importance of empowering individuals to recognize and thwart manipulative schemes.

One prevalent form of cybercrime discussed was phishing, a deceitful practice wherein attackers manipulate individuals into divulging sensitive information, such as banking details or passwords. Phishing attempts typically manifest through unsolicited emails or text messages, characterized by suspicious links, urgent appeals, and grammatical errors.

To fortify defenses against social engineering and hacking attempts, Abagnale endorsed the adoption of passkey technology, heralding it as a pivotal advancement poised to supplant conventional username-password authentication methods. Passkeys, embedded digital credentials associated with user accounts and applications, streamline authentication processes, mitigating vulnerabilities associated with passwords.

Abagnale underscored the ubiquity of passkey technology across various devices, envisioning its eventual displacement of traditional login mechanisms. This transition, he asserted, is long overdue and represents a crucial stride towards enhancing digital security.

Additionally, Techopedia shared practical recommendations for safeguarding online accounts, advocating for regular review and pruning of unused or obsolete accounts. They also recommended utilizing tools like "Have I Been Pwned" to assess potential data breaches and adopting a cautious approach towards hyperlinks, assuming every link to be potentially malicious until verified.

Moreover, users are advised to exercise vigilance in verifying the authenticity of sender identities and message content before responding or taking any action, mitigating the risk of falling victim to cyber threats.
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Technology
AI AI-generated misinformation Deepfake Technology Goverment of India India Technology

Indian Government Warns Social Media Platforms Over Deepfake Misinformation

In a strong statement directed at social media platforms, the government of India has emphasized the critical need for swift identification and removal of misinformation, including deepfakes, or risk facing legal consequences. This warning follows a deepfake scandal involving the esteemed Indian actor Akshay Kumar. 

The controversy erupted after a digitally manipulated video, allegedly portraying Kumar endorsing a gaming application, surfaced online. Despite the actor's explicit denial of any involvement in such promotions, the video circulated widely across social media platforms, fueling concerns over the spread of fabricated content. 

The government's stance underscores the growing threat posed by deepfakes, which are increasingly being used to spread false information and manipulate public opinion. With the rise of sophisticated digital manipulation techniques, authorities are urging social media companies to implement robust measures to combat the dissemination of deceptive content. 

Following the cases of deepfake technology, the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar, talked about how fake news and deepfake videos, which use fancy technology, are causing big problems. 

He reminded everyone about the rules that say social media companies have to quickly remove this fake stuff. If they do not, they can get in big trouble, even facing legal action. The government wants these companies to take responsibility and keep the internet safe and trustworthy. 

Further Minister added under the IT Rules, 2021, “they (intermediaries) lose their safe harbour protection under section 79 of the IT Act and shall be liable for consequential action or prosecution as provided under any law for the time being in force including the IT Act and the Indian Penal Code, including section 469 of the IPC”. 

Additionally, several months ago, deepfake videos featuring other famous Indian celebrities went viral on social media. In response, the Government of India issued an advisory to top social media platforms, stating that they must remove such content within 24 hours or face consequences under the provisions of the IT Rules. 

The advisory highlighted that Section 66D of the IT Act, 2000, prescribes punishment— including imprisonment for up to 3 years and a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh (1,205 US Dollars)—for individuals found guilty of cheating by impersonation through the use of computer resources. 

Let's Understand Deepfake AI Technolgy

Deepfake, a form of artificial intelligence (AI), has emerged as a potent tool capable of creating convincing hoax images, sounds, and videos. Combining the concepts of deep learning and fakery, the term "deepfake" embodies the manipulation of digital content with sophisticated algorithms. 

Utilizing machine learning algorithms, deepfake technology compiles fabricated images and sounds, seamlessly stitching them together to create realistic scenarios and individuals that never existed or events that never took place. 

However, the widespread use of deepfake technology is often associated with malicious intent. Nefarious actors harness this technology to propagate false information and propaganda, manipulating public perception with deceptive content. 

For instance, deepfake videos may depict world leaders or celebrities making statements they never uttered, a phenomenon commonly known as "fake news," which has the power to sway public opinion and disrupt societal trust. 

Recent Deepfake Incidents Shake Global Landscape 

In Pakistan, reports have surfaced of deepfake content being utilized to influence the outcome of the Prime Minister election. 

Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, a finance worker fell victim to a sophisticated deepfake scam, resulting in the fraudulent transfer of $25 million after fraudsters impersonated a company executive during a video conference call. 

Additionally, Iran-backed hackers disrupted streaming services in the UAE by disseminating deepfake news, underscoring the potential for such technology to be weaponized for cyber warfare.
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