McAfee recently introduced a new technology called Project Mockingbird at CES 2024. This advanced system uses artificial intelligence to detect fake audio, known as deepfakes. Its main purpose is to protect people from cybercriminals who use fake AI-generated audio to carry out scams, cyberbullying, and manipulate the public image of famous individuals.
Advanced computer programs, called Generative AI tools, are helping cybercriminals create scams. They use techniques like copying voices to pretend to be family members asking for money or changing real videos with low-quality fakes. These tricks make it difficult for people to know if information is real or fake, creating a big challenge for consumers.
To tackle this problem, McAfee Labs created a top-notch AI model as part of Project Mockingbird. This model designed to spot AI-generated audio using various detection methods and has a high accuracy rate of 90 percent.
Project Mockingbird does different things, such as stopping AI scams and fighting against false information. McAfee wants to help users tell what’s real and what’s fake, so they stay safe from scams and have a secure online experience.
Deep Concerns About Deepfakes
As fake video technology gets better, people are getting more worried. McAfee’s survey in December 2023 about deepfakes brings attention to this concern.
- In 2024, 84% of Americans express concern about the use of deepfakes.
- Compared to the previous year, 68% are even more concerned.
- About 33% have encountered or seen a deepfake scam, and among those aged 18–34, it’s even higher at 40%.
- People are most worried about things like election influence (52%), making people trust the media less (48%), pretending to be famous people (49%), lots of scams happening (57%), cyberbullying (44%), and creating inappropriate content (37%).Â
- McAfee’s introduction of Project Mockingbird is a big step in fighting against computer-generated dangers. As the US and UK approach an important election year, it’s important to help people better deal with the widespread impact of fake video technology.
How Can Individuals Protect Themselves From Deepfakes
Be cautious with personal information:
- Avoid sharing too much personal information on the internet.
- Â Limit the data about yourself that is available on the internet
Reduce public content:
- Cut the amount of photos and videos available .
- Less material online means fewer resources for potential deepfake creators.
Use digital watermarks:
- When sharing images or videos online, consider adding a digital watermark.
- This can deter creators of deepfakes from using your content.
Stay informed:
- Learn about deepfakes and artificial intelligence.
- Stay updated on the latest developments in this technology.
Use anti-deepfake programs:
- Use programs that insert special digital artifacts into videos.
- These artifacts can hide pixel patterns and discourage deepfake attempts.
Beware of misinformation:
- Recognize the potential for deepfakes to spread false information.
- Be vigilant in fact-checking and verifying information to avoid confusion.
Some Tools Or Software That People Can Use To Detect Deepfakes Include:
Sentinel:
- This tool, aided by AI, examines pictures or videos to identify any alterations. It reveals the modifications made to the content.
 Microsoft’s Video Authenticator Tool:
- This tool gives a score in real-time to tell how likely a video is a fake.
 DeepWare Scanner:
- This free tool uses the EfficientNet-B7 model to find deepfakes in videos.
 DeepfakeProof:
- This is a free add-on for your web browser. It looks at web pages to find fake pictures and videos.
 FakeCatcher:
- Made by Intel, this tool finds deepfakes with a 96% accuracy rate, giving results in milliseconds.
 Sensity:
- This tool checks files in different formats to find deepfakes. It’s an early warning system.
DeepWare AI:
- Â This open-source tool, made by a community, helps in finding deepfakes. It uses a big set of data to spot fake content.
Sentinel’s deepfake detection technology:
- You can use this system by uploading pictures or videos on their website or through API. The tool then checks for fake content using AI analysis.
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