Cybercrimes and dark web mishaps have increased over the past few years, and advanced deepfakes have enhanced digital frauds and scams. In this article, you will learn how to safeguard yourself and your organization from the threats of deep fakes on the internet.
However, before diving into the steps and procedures to spot deep fakes on the internet, let’s first learn about the term ‘Deepfakes.’ in a more fundamental manner.
What Are Deepfakes On The Internet?
A deepfake is an artificial media (photographs, visuals, and audio) used to manipulate the general public, industry, and the world. Have you ever seen a video of former U.S. President Obama using derogatory language to refer to Donald Trump or his random message to the general public? If the answer is positive, you have seen the deepfakes.
In general, deepfake visuals or audio is a form of artificial intelligence and machine learning where one can upload a picture or video and, with few technical skills, naturally alter the uploaded photos or video. Still, the fact is that such inputs are merely graphically changed outputs.
A study on AI-generated deepfakes revealed that the number of deepfake content on the internet is in the millions and is only expected to increase. Deepfakes can influence our memories and change our perception of reality, leading to the spread of misinformation. Since deep fakes protocols depend on A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) and machine learning, criminals have used this method to regulate scams and frauds.
Several industries have also faced such incidents where candidates use such deep fake visuals to get benefits. On top of that, several dark web hackers and criminals have also used deepfakes on the internet to scam people worldwide.
So how can we eliminate the possible threats caused by deep fakes? One possible way is to spot the deep fakes on the internet and make your online surfing easier.
Can You Spot Deepfakes On The Internet?
To eliminate crimes, frauds, and scams, users should know about the fundamentals of deepfake over the internet.
And by looking at specific pictures or visuals, you can spot false information.
How To Spot Deepfakes on The Internet?
Here’s how to spot deepfake on the internet:
1) Verify The Authenticity of The Source
One of the easiest, most cost-effective, and natural ways to identify a deep fake online is to verify the source and its authenticity to eliminate any risks.
The first thing you can do to spot deep fakes is check the information you receive. See whether it is a government organization, news, or private firm.
2) Look at The Face and Eye Movements
You can easily spot a deep fake video or images by looking at facial expressions and eye moments. You will find unnatural eye moments and gestures by looking at the visuals.
No matter how much we get technological advancements and artificial intelligence, digitally infused outputs can still not replicate human emotions and movements. Apart from the facial and eye movements, you can also observe the hair, clothing style, and other accessories to spot deep fakes.
3) Observe The Lightning and Color
Initially, lighting and color were neglected while identifying deep fake online content. However, you can use color combinations, color grading, and room or outdoor lightning links with the above method to identify graphically infused visuals.
You can find deep fake content several times by looking at the shadows and highlighted environment. Therefore, you can effortlessly spot a deep fake on the internet by analyzing lighting and colors.
4) Body Language, Shape, and Posture
An individual’s awkward body language, posture, and gestures often interrupt a viewer’s perception. The human eye can spot a freakish behavior of an individual, and intuition plays a vital role in spotting potential threats.
You can spot deep fake visuals if someone appears and disappears more than usual or when they move to other sides. You can best ask the other person to move their face or head to the right or left side to identify deep, fake.
5) Use AI Detectors
Artificial intelligence and machine learning have not only developed the threats but also have several remedies to nullify the potential threats. It all depends on the user and their use of such advancements.
The purpose of the usage always matters. Therefore, you can use AI detector tools to spot deep fakes online. Everypixel Aesthetics and Illuminarty Optic AI are examples of AI detector tools.
Apart from the methods mentioned above, you can also identify deepfake content by listening to the voice, asking an expert for suggestions or opinions, or researching independently.
Conclusion
In this modern and digitally advanced era, everything has a copy of its own, and trusting a site, content, or visuals is becoming increasingly complicated. Such false and digitally infused content can also hamper memory with faulty and distorted information.
Deepfakes can be used for entertainment purposes, but government authorities and organizations should draw a line where users’ control over such deepfake content is limited by rules and regulations.