Latest news with #BrandonMuller
Arab News
23-04-2025
- Arab News
AI action figure trend: Kaspersky warns about data privacy
As the latest social media trend sees users jumping on the AI action figure craze by uploading personal information and photos to generate hyper-realistic AI dolls or action figures of themselves, Kaspersky urges individuals to be cautious about the personal information they share online. The trend, while entertaining, raises concerns about data privacy and digital safety. Uploading images and personal information linked to the likes of nicknames, work, hobbies and family, to AI platforms may seem harmless but can inadvertently expose users to cyberthreats such as identity theft, phishing attacks, and unauthorized use of biometric data. A Kaspersky study highlighted the paradox in users' approach to digital privacy. While 45 percent of respondents in the Kingdom cover their webcams to maintain privacy, and 44 percent rely on incognito mode for secure browsing, a significant number still engage in risky online behaviors. Notably, 47 percent of respondents admitted to sharing personal details with unverified sources to access online games and quizzes. This is often done without considering the potential security implications. 'Participating in viral trends such as AI action figure or anime-style images inspired by Studio Ghibli can be fun, but it is essential to understand the potential risks involved,' said Brandon Muller, technical expert for the MEA region at Kaspersky. 'It's important to keep in mind that this data could be accessed by cyberattackers. By sharing detailed personal information and images, users may unknowingly provide scammers with the data needed to compromise their digital identities or create social engineering messages.' Kaspersky offers the following recommendations to safeguard personal data: • Review privacy policies: Before using AI-powered tools, read and understand their privacy terms to know how your data will be used and stored and whether it may be shared with third parties. • Limit personal information sharing: Avoid uploading sensitive photos or details that could be exploited, such as addresses or financial information. • Use generic images: If possible, use generic images or landscape photos instead of high-resolution close-ups of your face, as facial data can be used for biometric profiling. • Be cautious with permissions: Only grant necessary permissions to apps and platforms and be wary of those requesting excessive access, such as access to your contacts or location. • Use trusted security solutions: Protect your devices with reliable cybersecurity software, such as Kaspersky Premium, to detect and prevent potential threats.
Biz Bahrain
23-04-2025
- Biz Bahrain
Be a doll: mind cyber security and privacy when creating a fun image of yourself, warns Kaspersky
As the latest social media trend sees users jumping on the AI Action Figure craze by uploading personal information and photos to generate hyper-realistic AI dolls or action figures of themselves, Kaspersky urges individuals to be cautious about the personal information they share online. The trend, while entertaining, raises concerns about data privacy and digital safety. Uploading images and personal information linked to the likes of nicknames, work, hobbies and family, to AI platforms may seem harmless but can inadvertently expose users to cyber threats such as identity theft, phishing attacks, and unauthorised use of biometric data. A Kaspersky study highlights the paradox in users' approach to digital privacy. While 50% of respondents in the UAE cover their webcams to maintain privacy, and 44% rely on incognito mode for secure browsing, a significant number still engage in risky online behaviours. Notably, 56% of respondents admitted to sharing personal details with unverified sources to access online games and quizzes. This is often done without considering the potential security implications. 'Participating in viral trends such as AI Action Figure or anime-style images inspired by Studio Ghibli can be fun, but it is essential to understand the potential risks involved,' says Brandon Muller, Technical Expert for the MEA region at Kaspersky. 'It's important to keep in mind that this data could be accessed by cyberattackers. By sharing detailed personal information and images, users may unknowingly provide scammers with the data needed to compromise their digital identities or create social engineering messages.' Kaspersky offers the following recommendations to safeguard personal data: • Review privacy policies: Before using AI-powered tools, read and understand their privacy terms to know how your data will be used and stored and whether it may be shared with third parties. • Limit personal information sharing: Avoid uploading sensitive photos or details that could be exploited, such as addresses or financial information. • Use generic images: If possible, use generic images or landscape photos instead of high-resolution close-ups of your face, as facial data can be used for biometric profiling. • Be cautious with permissions: Only grant necessary permissions to apps and platforms and be wary of those requesting excessive access, such as access to your contacts or location. • Use trusted security solutions: Protect your devices with reliable cybersecurity software, such as Kaspersky Premium, to detect and prevent potential threats. • Stay informed: Educate yourself about the latest digital trends and associated risks to make informed decisions online. • Regularly monitor accounts: Check your financial and social media accounts for unusual activity, as shared data could be used for unauthorised access.
Tahawul Tech
02-04-2025
- Tahawul Tech
1st of April joke or a cyberattack – Kaspersky's tips to avoid both
A recent survey* by Kaspersky has showed that 56% of employees and business owners using computers in the UAE region faced a situation when colleagues (29.3%), friends or relatives (26.8%) made jokes with their unlocked computer. These jokes included sending funny messages or emails on behalf of the accounts' owner, placing a screenshot of the desktop as a desktop background, and leaving unexpected pictures, notes, or photos in the files. At the same time just less than 1.3% of the survey respondents admitted to making such jokes themselves. Similar tricks are also used by cyber attackers. For example, a phishing website may open in a new window in full-screen mode, so that the original browser bar with the phishing URL becomes invisible. Instead, the attackers replace it with an image of the browser bar with the official link of some well-known organisation. This image may display various messages (both visual and audio), such as warnings that the computer has been blocked and a fine must be paid. If the user does not know how to exit full-screen mode in the browser, they may think their computer is really locked. To escape such a trap, users can press F11 or Alt+F4 on Windows, or Cmd+Ctrl+F on a Mac, to exit full-screen mode and regain control. Short links and QR codes should always be treated with vigilance as they may lead to unpredicted downloads or websites, not only claiming to be an 'April Fools' joke. QR code phishing, known as Quishing, has been a growing concern in recent years. Since there are threat actors looking to benefit from people's trust in a service, it's worth checking such links by copying and pasting them into a tool like GetLinkInfo or UnshortenIt. Cybersecurity solutions help with a built-in QR scanner that lets users check the link and warns users about landing on a dangerous website. Additionally, hovering over a short link (without clicking) can sometimes reveal the true destination URL in the browser's status bar, offering a quick safety check. 'A friendly joke won't lead to the loss of money or data, like cyber attacks do, but might still be not very pleasant. Following simple rules when working with a computer, tablet or phone will help to avoid unpleasant consequences. Be vigilant, have strong passwords in place and keep your devices locked', notes Brandon Muller, technology expert and consultant at Kaspersky. Kaspersky shares the following advice to help you avoid getting tricked into jokes or scams: Lock your computers and other devices when leaving them unattended, as this can prevent not only jokes, but also surprises from children, pets or passersby. Key combinations to instantly lock the computer are Win+L on Windows, and Cmd+Ctrl+Q on MacOS. when leaving them unattended, as this can prevent not only jokes, but also surprises from children, pets or passersby. Key combinations to instantly lock the computer are Win+L on Windows, and Cmd+Ctrl+Q on MacOS. Use strong passwords and do not write them down near your computer. Using a different password for each device and service is recommended. Password manager solutions can be useful. and do not write them down near your computer. Using a different password for each device and service is recommended. Password manager solutions can be useful. Educate yourself on how to recognise phishing emails, by looking for such signs as the sender's address, executable files, or files with macros in attachments. These messages also often create a sense of unclarity, urgency or unexpected calls to action. Only open attachments and click links if you are confident in the sender's legitimacy. If the sender seems legitimate, but the content of the message looks strange, it is worth contacting the sender via an alternative means of communication. Specialised courses, such as Kaspersky Automated Security Awareness Platform, can help organisations educate their employees, including through phishing simulators. by looking for such signs as the sender's address, executable files, or files with macros in attachments. These messages also often create a sense of unclarity, urgency or unexpected calls to action. Only open attachments and click links if you are confident in the sender's legitimacy. If the sender seems legitimate, but the content of the message looks strange, it is worth contacting the sender via an alternative means of communication. Specialised courses, such as Kaspersky Automated Security Awareness Platform, can help organisations educate their employees, including through phishing simulators. Use a protection solution, such as Kaspersky Next for businesses or Kaspersky Premium, for individual users, that warns about potential dangers. Due to AI developments , both friendly tricks and cyber attacks can come in the form of fake images or videos. Be attentive to details (such as seven fingers, a third hand or misspelled words) and think critically into call to actions. For added caution, verify questionable media by cross-checking with trusted sources or using reverse image search tools like Google Images. *The survey was conducted by Toluna research agency at the request of Kaspersky in 2025. The study sample included 2800 online interviews with employees and business owners using computers for work in 7 countries: Türkiye, South Africa, Kenya, Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Image Credit: Stock Image
