If you’ve heard about doctored photos and videos that look real, you’ve probably asked yourself: “What are deepfakes?” Deepfakes are videos and pictures created using computer software that look almost indistinguishable from the real deal. Learning how to recognize deepfakes and when they might be used as a part of a scam is the first step in protecting your digital existence. Then, get a powerful online security app to help you protect your identity, block hackers, and stay online safer.
How do deepfakes work?
Deepfakes combine existing images, video, or audio of a person in AI-powered deep learning software that allows for manipulating this information into new, fake pictures, videos, and audio recordings. The software is fed images, video, and voice clips of people that are processed to “learn'' what makes a person unique (similar to training facial recognition software). Deepfake technology then applies that information to other clips (substituting one person for another) or as the basis of fully new clips.
How to spot a deepfake
There are some fairly simple things you can look for when trying to spot a deepfake:
- Unnatural eye movement: Eye movements that do not look natural — or a lack of eye movement, such as an absence of blinking — are red flags. It’s challenging to replicate the act of blinking in a way that looks natural. It’s also challenging to replicate a real person’s eye movements. That’s because someone’s eyes usually follow the person they’re talking to.
- Unnatural facial expressions:When something doesn’t look right about a face, it could signal facial morphing. This occurs when a simple stitch of one image has been done over another.
- Awkward facial-feature positioning:If someone’s face is pointing one way and their nose is pointing another, you should be skeptical about the video’s authenticity.
- A lack of emotion:You also can spot facial morphing or image stitches if someone’s face doesn’t seem to exhibit the emotion that should go along with what they’re supposedly saying.
- Awkward-looking body or posture:Another sign is if a person’s body shape doesn’t look natural or there is awkward or inconsistent positioning of the head and body. This may be one of the easier inconsistencies to spot because deepfake technology usually focuses on facial features rather than the whole body.
- Unnatural body movement:If someone looks distorted or off when they turn to the side or move their head, or their movements are jerky and disjointed from one frame to the next, you should suspect the video is fake.
- Unnatural coloring:Abnormal skin tone, discoloration, weird lighting, and misplaced shadows are all signs that what you’re seeing is likely fake.
- Hair that doesn’t look real: You won’t see frizzy or flyaway hair, because fake images won’t be able to generate these individual characteristics.
- Teeth that don’t look real:Algorithms may not be able to generate individual teeth, so an absence of outlines of individual teeth could be a clue.
- Blurring or misalignment:If the edges of images are blurry or visuals are misaligned — for example, where someone’s face and neck meet their body — you’ll know something is amiss.
How do you protect yourself from deepfakes?
Protecting yourself from deepfakes is similar to protecting yourself from other possible threats online. To help prevent others from using your likeness in a deepfake:
- Limit how many pictures and videos of yourself and your loved ones you share.
- Make your social networking profiles private.
- Use a VPN when you use the internet.
- Use virus-blocking software.
- Have family members use a code word to identify themselves during emergencies.
- Conduct your business in person, especially if money is changing hands.
Check out our great range at: https://simplyantivirus.co.uk/