Deepfake technology is growing day by day, and it has become a serious concern for individuals, businesses, and companies.  There has been a significant rise in the usage of artificial intelligence for various illegitimate activities. Fraudsters generate deepfakes with the help of machine learning and artificial intelligence, which they use to bypass securities of various industries. Additionally, deepfake technology helps individuals with hacking, scams, and phishing attacks.

Deepfake technology involves neural networks and machine learning algorithms that produce high-resolution content in the form of videos and images. Many users generate audio deepfakes as well and use them to reach out to organizations and individuals in the form of phishing attacks.

What Are Deepfakes?

The use of artificial intelligence and machine learning results in the form of replica content, which seems natural. Criminals generate such content and use it for various illegitimate activities. Deepfakes are content that involves technology in their creation and results in the form of high-quality replicas. For example, videos of celebrities with such content and words that they never said in reality are examples of deepfakes. 
In 2020, the deepfake market reached a value of $3.67 billion. Experts predict its growth to a larger extent in coming years for being accessible. While there are creative uses in entertainment, the risks of fraud and misinformation cannot be ignored.

The Growing Threat of Deepfake Technology

Deepfake technology is a growing threat to many industries due to its negative usage. Criminals often utilize this technology to reach out to various organizations for their illicit activities. Many scammers generate deepfakes and use them for the following illicit activities:

To Spread Misinformation

Deepfake content allows users to generate fake data and information in the form of videos and images. Visual media always attract audience interest and attention; hence, deepfake videos and images allow the spread of misinformation. Many individuals utilize deepfake technology to distort facts and make media and journalism a tool to spread the threat of distrust and reputational damage. 

Cyber Attacks

Many scammers generate deep fake videos and audio to trick individuals. They utilize such content and reach out to people to share their sensitive information, such as OTPs on mobile phones and important passwords. Once, a scammer imitated the voice of the CEO of the company and called to transfer a significant amount. Many times, companies, businesses, and entities have become victims of cyber attacks due to deepfake technology. 

Security Bypass

Nowadays, organizations work remotely for both business and user onboarding. They employ digital techniques to onboard customers and inventors. Fraudsters identify loopholes in security and reach out to organizations with spoofed content to bypass. They often employ deepfake videos and images to access organizations for various illicit activities such as money laundering, data breaches, and financial terrorism. Hence, it is highly important to utilize specific security protocols such as deepfake detection technology.

How do Businesses Can Address  Deepfake Attacks?

Organizations are investing in deepfake detection tools which can facilitate the prevention of deepfake attacks. Various deepfake detectors have emerged and allow organizations to utilize advanced solutions for their real-time security from fraudsters and criminal attacks. Deepfake detection technology involves machine learning algorithms to analyze patterns that humans might overlook, such as unnatural eye movements or inconsistent lighting. It allows real time identification of spoofing attacks and allows organizations to have enhanced security from spoofing and deepfake attacks. Online platforms particularly require deepfake detection technology as it can help to reduce cyber attacks by analyzing complex features and determining the nature of provided media or content. 
Deepfake technology is not bad in itself as it allows the replication of such documents and media, which is necessary. However, being in the hands of those who use it negatively, it has become a serious threat to handle with care. There is a need for appropriate solutions and precautions to secure organizations from the harmful consequences of deepfake technology. Additionally, legal authorities need to devise more strict regulations to help industries with security from deepfake attacks and criminals.

To Sum Up

Deepfake technology involves machine learning and neural networks.  Many fraudsters utilize this technology to generate spoofed data such as videos and images. They utilize this content to bypass securities online. Hence, it is necessary for online platforms to utilize deepfake detection technology for their real-time security from cyber-attacks and criminal activities. The rise of AI-generated deepfakes calls for proactive measures which can be in the form of sharp and advanced detection technology, regulations, and punishment for those who use this technology negatively. With the help of deepfake detection technology businesses can protect their operations and contribute to a safer working environment for both users and entities.