Fake news is one of the scourges of our increasingly connected world. With billions having instant access to social media sites and the web, misinformation can spread quickly like wildfire. To discern what’s bogus from real, we typically rely on concrete proof, like a video, for example, to prove that something was actually said or done.
But thanks to the unstoppable march of technology, even videos are now at risk of being faked convincingly. With emerging and terrifyingly advanced face tracking and video manipulation methods, a new era of disinformation is looming.
From a politician saying words that weren’t spoken to a celebrity doing things that weren’t done, the threat of these ultra-realistic fake videos, now collectively known as Deepfakes, is something that can no longer be denied.
If we’re not careful, the next fabricated video scandal that can threaten our national security or sway public opinion is just waiting around the corner.
Listen to this free Komando Consumer Tech Update and learn how fake videos just got real.
Deepfake technology is an emerging technique that uses facial mapping, artificial intelligence and deep machine learning to create ultra-realistic fake videos of people saying and doing things that they haven’t actually done.
And the scary part? The technology is improving at such a rapid pace that it’s getting increasingly difficult to tell what’s fake.
Now, with the use of deep learning, all it takes are computer scans of multiple images and videos of a certain person. Deepfake software will then process this information and mimic the target’s voice, facial expressions and even individual mannerisms. In time, without the proper equipment, these Deepfake videos will become indistinguishable from the real deal!
Are you familiar with the free-to-play game Fortnite? The game is definitely big business right now and, as usual, scammers are looking to capitalize on Fortnite’s massive popularity. In a clever new scheme, fraudsters are reportedly creating fake websites to lure Fortnite players into giving away their account details and financial information! If your kids or grandkids play Fortnite, you really need to know what’s going on.
Open/download audioThe number is staggering. Americans have had to deal with almost 3 and a half billion robocalls in the month of April alone. The unwanted calls are becoming more frequent and the scams are getting harder to detect. Listen to more on the latest scam in this Consumer Tech Update podcast.
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Working from home sounds like a great idea. Not having to deal with traffic is a major plus, as is being able to relax a bit while getting the job done. It’s even better if you have people or pets you need to care for. But while working for Amazon could be a dream come true for many, unfortunately an opportunity to do so is more of a nightmare. Don’t blame Amazon, though, because it’s not a real thing.
If you’ve ever used a fitness tracker, you know how valuable they are when it comes to staying on top of your calorie intake, the number of steps you take per day and more. But now a popular app has been hit by hackers, and they stole data from more than 150 million people. You need to change your password now!
Unsolicited robocalls have become a serious epidemic lately. A recent study shows that the number of spam calls has been rising across the country at an alarmingly rapid pace. People in the U.S. receive an average of just under 19 spam calls every month. Yikes! One way to try and stop these intrusive calls is with robocall blocking apps.
As much as we would like to think we are on top of our credit card bills, if we are honest with ourselves, most of us probably do not pay as much attention as we should. Sure we check our statement and see how much money we owe, but going line by line, purchase by purchase, is something we just don’t have time for.
Amazon is the king of the world of online retailers. It’s probably the first site that you check when thinking about buying something online. There are about 90 million Prime members in the U.S. With such a large base of customers, there are bound to be tons of customer service inquiries. But be careful if you need to contact Amazon.
Phishing emails with malicious attachments or links are a favorite of the cybercriminal. These types of attacks can be a very effective tool for fraudsters, especially in tricking the untrained eye. But among all the file types that can be used for duping potential victims, this well-known format is the most popular for cyberattacks. Read on and you might be surprised.
It’s only been a matter of months since we found out about the massive Equifax data breach that exposed over 145 million Americans’ critical information. Stolen data included Social Security numbers, and as you know, we can never replace them. Well, brace yourself, it turns out that the Equifax breach is even worse than reported.
Ever get a call from a number that you do not recognize? Maybe it is a scammer pretending to work for Google or Facebook, or maybe you really have won an all expenses paid trip to Sandals. It is worth investigating to say the least, and online search engines are the new ‘best’ way to look up numbers.
I’m sure you’d agree that as a parent or grandparent, keeping children safe is the number one priority. This was difficult enough before the days of the internet, now it’s difficult times 1,000. Twisted things like the Tide Pod Challenge that go viral do not help. You’re not going to believe what teens are posting on social media now.
Cybercriminals had a banner year in 2017. Massive data breaches, DDoS and ransomware attacks dominated the headlines. No matter which type of attack the scammers use, their final goal is always the same. To steal our personal information and money. Criminals are now getting extremely devious, attempting to find new victims.
One crucial component of your legal identity is your Social Security number. With it, identity thieves can either start charging your credit cards with unauthorized purchases or worse, open new credit lines under your identity. You may not even realize what’s going on until the collection agencies start stalking you for accounts that you don’t remember creating.
Internet trolls are terrible, they just try to get a rise out of people for no good reason. But one lady turned the tables on a would-be scammer.
Unsolicited phone calls from unknown numbers are not only annoying; they can be extremely dangerous and malicious too. Known as robocall scams, these telephone fraudsters are always looking for ways to steal your hard-earned money. That’s why it is extremely important to stay vigilant against robocall scams and know your options for fighting back.
Are you looking for a quick way to find a rental property in your area? Instead of scouring through classified ads and searching online, did you know that you can simply use that one social media site that you’re probably using every day?
