With the advance of emerging technologies and Artificial Intelligence, deepfake attacks are increasingly sophisticated and can fool anyone. Deepfakes can imitate anyone's voice and facial features, simply by having a photograph or video of the person in question, which is then used by the cyber attackers to create the content they want. One of the major consequences of the evolution of this technology is generalised distrust, which leads users to doubt all content, even those that are true, creating an environment of uncertainty and misinformation.

Deepfakes can be used to create false scenarios that directly affect public opinion on various issues, but this year the predominant trend has been political. For example, cyber attackers create fake videos that show a political candidate making offensive or illegal statements and which can be quickly disseminated on social media, negatively influencing public opinion and significantly impacting votes. In this sense, by creating fake but extremely realistic videos or audios, deepfake can profoundly influence voters and destabilise the democratic process.

The ability to create alternative realities and influence public perceptions so effectively requires a rapid and robust response. Governments, IT organisations and citizens must therefore work together to develop detection tools, promote media literacy and establish laws that severely punish the malicious use of deepfakes.

As users and citizens, we must be aware of this technology, realise how we can circumvent it and avoid being duped under any circumstances. Here are some tips to avoid being fooled by deepfakes:

1. Checking sources

It is essential to always confirm the origin of the video or audio that has been released. Prioritise sources from reliable and recognised news media and look for information directly from official sources, such as the communication channels of candidates or political parties.

2. Attention to detail

Although cyber attackers are becoming increasingly sophisticated when it comes to deepfakes, there are still some flaws that can be detected in fake videos or audios. Look out for anything strange in the speech or facial movements.

3. Don't share immediately

Before sharing any suspicious video or audio, do a quick search to check its veracity so as not to spread false information. In this sense, it is important to establish strict verification procedures, such as checking the origin of videos, using multiple reliable sources and using authentication technologies. The more shares there are, the greater the number of people affected by disinformation.

4. Information on deepfakes

Inform yourself and learn how deepfakes are created, what their common procedures are and how to avoid believing in such a situation. Talk to friends and family about the risks and signs of fake videos or audios. Within organisations, a good cybersecurity practice is to implement ongoing training programmes for employees and awareness campaigns for the general public about what deepfakes are, how they are created and the risks they pose.

5. Be wary of sensationalised content

Deepfakes usually aim to create an impact and strong emotions. In this sense, they often tackle controversial topics to attract attention, so be wary of content that seems overly sensational or shocking.

6. Report suspicious content

If you find a suspicious video or audio that has been created through deepfake, report it to social media platforms and the relevant authorities to help prevent the spread of disinformation.

7. Implement detection technology

Use specialised software and metadata analysis tools to detect deepfakes. This software analyses the characteristics of videos and images, looking for digital manipulations and inconsistencies that could indicate the presence of deepfakes.

 

By adopting proactive and collaborative measures, we can mitigate the risks associated with deepfakes and protect the integrity of democratic processes and the information we consume daily. Citizen education and awareness are essential to identifying and dealing with these threats, as well as governments, IT organisations and the media working together to develop detection technologies and implement effective regulations against the malicious use of deepfakes. Only through a joint effort can we meet the challenges posed by this technology and ensure a more informed and secure society.

Watch here a real case of deepfake.