From voice cloning to deepfakes
Artificial intelligence attacks can affect almost everyone, therefore, you should always be on the lookout for them. Using AI to target you is already a thing, according to a top security expert, who has issued a warning.
AI appears to be powering features, apps, and chatbots that mimic humans everywhere these days. Even if you do not employ those AI-powered tools, criminals may still target you based only on your phone number.
To scam you, for example, criminals can employ this technology to produce fake voices—even ones that sound just like loved ones.
“Many people still think of AI as a future threat, but real attacks are happening right now,” said security expert Paul Bischoff in an article from The Sun.
Phone clone
“I think deepfake audio in particular is going to be a challenge because we as humans can’t easily identify it as fake, and almost everybody has a phone number.”
In a matter of seconds, artificial intelligence voice-cloning can be done. Furthermore, it will get harder to distinguish between a real voice and an imitation.
It will be crucial to ignore unknown calls, use secure words to confirm the identity of callers, and be aware of telltale indicators of scams, such as urgent demands for information or money.
An AI researcher has warned of six enhancements that make deepfakes more “sophisticated” and dangerous than before and can trick your eyes. Naturally, there are other threats posed by AI besides “deepfake” voices.
Paul, a Comparitech consumer privacy advocate, issued a warning that hackers might exploit AI chatbots to steal your personal information or even deceive you.
“AI chatbots could be used for phishing to steal passwords, credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, and other private data,” he told The U.S. Sun.
“AI conceals the sources of information that it pulls from to generate responses.
AI romance scams
Beware of scammers that use AI chatbots to trick you… What you should know about the risks posed by AI romance scam bots, as reported by The U.S. Sun, is as follows:
Scammers take advantage of AI chatbots to scam online daters. These chatbots are disguised as real people and can be challenging to identify.
Some warning indicators, nevertheless, may help you spot them. For instance, it is probably not a genuine person if the chatbot answers too rapidly and generically. If the chatbot attempts to transfer the conversation from the dating app to another app or website, that is another red flag.
Furthermore, it is a scam if the chatbot requests money or personal information. When communicating with strangers on the internet, it is crucial to use caution and vigilance, particularly when discussing sensitive topics. It is typically true when something looks too wonderful to be true.
Anyone who appears overly idealistic or excessively eager to further the relationship should raise suspicions. By being aware of these indicators, you may protect yourself against becoming a victim of AI chatbot fraud.
“Responses might be inaccurate or biased, and the AI might pull from sources that are supposed to be confidential.”
AI everywhere
AI will soon become a necessary tool for internet users, which is a major concern. Tens of millions of people use chatbots that are powered by it already, and that number is only going to rise.
Additionally, it will appear in a growing variety of products and apps. For example, Microsoft Copilot and Google’s Gemini are already present in products and devices, while Apple Intelligence—working with ChatGPT from OpenAI—will soon power the iPhone. Therefore, the general public must understand how to use AI safely.
“AI will be gradually (or abruptly) rolled into existing chatbots, search engines, and other technologies,” Paul explained.
“AI is already included by default in Google Search and Windows 11, and defaults matter.
“Even if we have the option to turn AI off, most people won’t.”
Deepfakes
Sean Keach, Head of Technology and Science at The Sun and The U.S. Sun, explained that one of the most concerning developments in online security is the emergence of deepfakes.
Almost nobody is safe because deepfake technology can make videos of you even from a single photo. The sudden increase of deepfakes has certain benefits, even though it all seems very hopeless.
To begin with, people are now far more aware of deepfakes. People will therefore be on the lookout for clues that a video may be fake. Tech companies are also investing time and resources in developing tools that can identify fraudulent artificial intelligence material.
This implies that fake content will be flagged by social media to you more frequently and with more confidence. You will probably find it more difficult to identify visual mistakes as deepfakes become more sophisticated, especially in a few years.
Hence, using common sense to be skeptical of everything you view online is your best line of defense. Ask as to whether it makes sense for someone to have created the video and who benefits from you watching it.
You may be watching a fake video if someone is acting strangely, or if you’re being rushed into an action.
As AI technology continues to advance and integrate into our daily lives, the landscape of cyber threats evolves with it. While AI offers numerous benefits, it also presents new challenges for online security and personal privacy. The key to navigating this new terrain lies in awareness, education, and vigilance.
Users must stay informed about the latest AI-powered threats, such as voice cloning and deepfakes, and develop critical thinking skills to question the authenticity of digital content. It’s crucial to adopt best practices for online safety, including using strong passwords, being cautious with personal information, and verifying the identity of contacts through secure means.
Tech companies and cybersecurity experts are working to develop better detection tools and safeguards against AI-driven scams. However, the responsibility ultimately falls on individuals to remain skeptical and alert in their online interactions.
