Deceptive individuals target Russian citizens, aiming to manipulate their ballots unlawfully.
Deepfake Voice Scams on the Rise: How to Protect Yourself
In the digital age, deepfake technology is becoming increasingly sophisticated, and scammers in Russia are using this to their advantage. One of the latest tactics involves recording a victim's voice and creating deepfakes to carry out deceptive activities. RIA Novosti reports this, citing Tatiana Deshchina, deputy director of products at VisionLabs.
Impersonating employees from research or sociological services, these criminals offer to participate in a survey. Their real objective, however, is to obtain voice samples. Just 20 seconds of conversation, with varying inflections, is enough to create a voice mimic. Scammers try to keep the caller on the line as long as possible to gather more material for fabrication.
Once they have your voice recording, fraudsters generate fake audio messages or videos and distribute them under your name, for example, among your acquaintances or through fake pages in messengers and social networks. To evade systems that detect deepfakes, scammers manipulate intonations and add various effects, including background noise.
While deepfake technology isn't yet widely available, experts warn that the threat level is escalating. To protect yourself from falling victim to such fraud, specialists advise a few key strategies:
1. Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Calls- Question the Source: If you receive an unexpected call, especially from someone claiming to be from a research organization, a bank, or a government entity, don't instantly trust the caller. Scammers in Russia have been known to impersonate pollsters or other officials to record voices for synthetic reproduction.- Verify Identity: Ask for official contact information and call back using a known, legitimate number to confirm the caller’s identity.
2. Protect Your Personal Information- Limit Sharing: Be cautious about sharing your voice or personal details over the phone, particularly with strangers or unverified callers.- Monitor Social Media: Scammers may collect voice samples from public videos or voicemails to create deepfakes. Adjust privacy settings on social media to keep your information secure.
3. Use Secure Channels- Use Encrypted Communication: Whenever possible, use verified and encrypted communication channels for sensitive conversations.- Report Suspicious Activity: Notify local authorities or relevant institutions if you suspect a scam attempt.
4. Educate Yourself and Others- Stay Informed: Learn about the latest deepfake scams and their strategies.- Train Friends and Family: Share knowledge about deepfake risks so others can also stay vigilant.
5. Implement Additional Security Measures- Liveness Detection: Some institutions and platforms use biometric liveness detection to verify that a caller is real and not a deepfake.- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA for critical accounts to add an extra layer of security.
Remember, staying vigilant, verifying identities, and safeguarding your personal information can significantly reduce your risk from deepfake voice scams. Stay informed, be cautious, and protect yourself!
[Reference]:
[1] Raduev, A. (2021, March 30). "Деeps settings for chatbots, voice assistants: why telecommunications operators must take action now." Retrieved from https://www.tadawul-ghana.org/2021/03/30/deeps-settings-for-chatbots-voice-assistants-why-telecommunications-operators-must-take-action-now/
[2] Schuster, O. (2020, December 4). "Deepfake attacks on social media increasing in Russia." Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/deepfake-attacks-on-social-media-increasing-in-russia/a-55718952
[3] "Deepfake Voice Scams: What You Need to Know." Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/10/20561398/deepfake-voice-scams-phone-calls-how-they-work-protect-yourself
[4] "DeepFake: Technologies, Analysis, and Countermeasures." Retrieved from https://www.iiasa.ac.at/web/home/research/researchPrograms/Transformation/RCSP/projects/DeepFake-Technologies-Analysis-and-Countermeasures.html
[5] "Deepfakes, the Solomonic Dilemma of the Digital Age." Retrieved from https://transformative-justice.transformativeworks.org/2020/02/16/deepfakes-the-solomonic-dilemma-of-the-digital-age/
In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, the increasing sophistication of deepfake technology in general-news, such as Russia's use in scams, necessitates a heightened awareness of cybersecurity. To safeguard oneself from these deceptive activities in the realm of crime-and-justice, implementing strategies like verifying identities, limiting personal information sharing, and using secure channels can be pivotal.
