Deepfakes are becoming increasingly popular with cybercriminals, and as these technologies become even easier to use, organizations must become even more vigilant. Deepfakes are part of the ongoing trend of weaponized AI, and they’re extremely effective in the context of social engineering because they use AI to mimic human communications so well. With tools like these, malicious actors can easily hoodwink people into giving them credentials or other sensitive information, or even transfer money for instant financial gain.
Data science solutions to detect deepfakes have been under development by researchers, but many of the solutions have become useless as the attackers’ technology advances and produces more convincing outcomes. To fight the onslaught of deepfakes and prevent these videos and images from being shared online, steps are being taken on many fronts. In the social media realm, Facebook is working with university researchers to create a deepfake detector to help enforce its ban.
Organizations should deploy antivirus software, web filtering and endpoint detection and response (EDR) technologies to safeguard their environments from the weaponization of AI. In addition, it’s important to raise cybersecurity awareness through education – including teaching employees how to recognize AI-focused risks and spot deepfake videos. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, it always comes down to cyber hygiene and training.
Key Points:
- Deepfakes are becoming increasingly popular with cybercriminals.
- Deepfakes are part of the ongoing trend of weaponized AI and are extremely effective in the context of social engineering.
- Data science solutions to detect deepfakes have become useless as the attackers’ technology advances.
- Organizations should deploy antivirus software, web filtering and endpoint detection and response (EDR) technologies.
- Raise cybersecurity awareness through education, including teaching employees how to recognize AI-focused risks and spot deepfake videos.
