Latest news with #DeepFake
Time Business News
02-08-2025
- Time Business News
What are Deepfakes HALOCK
Faking It Before getting too invested in your online connection, ensure it's not a DeepFake. Advances in technology have taken catfishing to new heights. Bad actors can manipulate their visuals and voice online or phone to impersonate someone else. They use these false identities to find their way to your heart and data. DEEPFAKES The mere mention of this should throw you deep into thought. While the concept has only recently entered the public discourse, AI-generated DeepFakes have already led to an estimated $12 billion in fraud losses. Technology has gotten so advanced, individuals can now create convincing DeepFakes with an image, 60-seconds of audio, spending less than $15, and dedicating less than 10-minutes of effort. What is a DeepFake? Deepfakes are synthetic (but realistic) audio, video, and image content produced through artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, such as Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) or other machine learning (ML) methods. AI can analyze images, videos, and voice recordings of specific people or generate entirely new identities. DeepFakes can replicate someone's voice tone, intonation, mannerisms and other distinguishing traits, making it appear as though they are saying or doing things they never did. The term 'DeepFake' combines 'deep learning' with 'fake,' highlighting both the technology behind it and its potential for deception. While there are legitimate uses for DeepFake technology, unfortunately, it can be easily misused for malicious purposes. What can a DeepFake do? Creators of DeepFakes can manipulate digital identities to say or do what they choose. There are legitimate applications, such as in the media and entertainment industry, where DeepFakes can be used to create action scenes safely or reduce the risk to actors. Unfortunately, the technology has also been nefariously used with detrimental effects. The risks are very real, as we have seen in recent headlines. Malicious Uses of DeepFakes BUSINESS FINANCIAL FRAUD AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY THEFT ⦁ Deepfake goal: Steal money from a large organization. ⦁ How: Creating a Deepfake of an executive or C-suite member to access funds or confidential information. Most employees will quickly implement direct leadership requests without question, falling victim to such schemes. ⦁ In the News: A finance professional attended a video conference with what appeared to be the company CFO and other colleagues. The DeepFake was so convincing that the ⦁ employee transferred $25.6 million total (through numerous transactions) to the attackers. ⦁ In the News: A Ferrari executive was targeted by a ⦁ DeepFake impersonating Ferrari's CEO, Benedetto Vigna. However, the clever executive thwarted the scam by asking a personal question Vigna would know the answer to. CYBERSECURITY – PHISHING AND SOCIAL ENGINEERING ⦁ Deepfake goal: Enhance the scale and effectiveness of cyber-attacks using DeepFake technology. ⦁ How: An Audio DeepFake can impersonate a targeted employee and gain access to sensitive company data. ⦁ In the News: A DeepFake voice convinced an IT support worker that he was also an ⦁ employee at MGM, and needed to change his password. With the updated credentials, the attacker got access to the corporate networks. FALSE INFORMATION ⦁ Deepfake goal: Spread misinformation to damage reputations, sway public opinion, or disrupt political or military events. ⦁ How: A Deepfake of a politician or leader announcing a drastic change in policy or a prominent figure appearing to behave inappropriately can cause significant turmoil and disruption. ⦁ In the News: A DeepFake video with the likeness of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was posted on social media ⦁ telling his soldiers to surrender to Russia. It was discovered to be fake and removed. ⦁ In the News: ⦁ Deepfake content featuring the likeness of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos for military action against China regarding the tensions in the South China Sea. ⦁ In the News: In the ⦁ 2024 Olympics, DeepFakes manipulated images, video, and audio to discredit coaches and athletes. BRAND THEFT TO PROMOTE SCAMS ⦁ Deepfake of famous and successful experts endorsing the scam as a legitimate answer to their problems. ⦁ In the News: A DeepFake video of Elon Musk promoting an investment opportunity convinced people to open an account with their savings. It turned out to be hackers stealing money using Musk's success and reputation to make their scam credible. ⦁ In the News: A self-help course by Wesley Virgin was ⦁ promoted by famous personalities Oprah Winfrey, Nigella Lawson, and Piers Morgan. These ads were all DeepFakes. ⦁ In the News: A ⦁ French doctor that appears on TV often has been trying to stop DeepFakes of his image being used to promote scam offers. ⦁ In the News: Bad Actors use a ⦁ DeepFake of Bob Irwin, son of the late and beloved Steve Irwin, 'Crocodile Hunter' to invest in a platform. PERSONAL HARMFUL IMPACTS ON INDIVIDUALS ⦁ Loved Ones/Children: DeepFake technology has been used to create fake ransom calls, where a hacker impersonates a child or loved one (built off of available social content online) and demands money from friends or family. Many parents or loved ones will do anything to keep their loved ones and kids safe and pay the money – no questions asked. ⦁ Reputation Damage: Bad actors use DeepFake technology to fabricate compromising images, video, or audio of their target, then extort money by threatening to release the content. The victim is usually too scared or embarrassed to tell anyone and desperately tries to get funds to pay off the blackmailer. ROMANCE SCAMS – DEEP FEELINGS FOR DEEPFAKES ⦁ Deepfake goal: DeepFakes to manipulate victims emotionally and financially through fabricated online relationships. ⦁ How: Romance scams reach new levels with the dawning of DeepFakes. Malicious actors can develop the perfect online match for those seeking love. It is much easier to catfish or use a customized fake identity to build an online relationship. Scammers can make identities to fit specific age ranges, ethnicities, physiques, complete with desired accents. Whatever preference their targets want, DeepFakes can make. ⦁ In the News: The ⦁ Yahoo Boys use two devices to create a digital mask that the scammer uses over his own so the mannerisms on the false identity appear real. Plus, they establish plausibility to use video or audio to connect, as these fake personas are not local to their online partners – such as military personnel, offshore workers, transportation professionals such as pilots or just regular folks that live internationally. They can be an individual scam or a large syndicate to generate huge payouts. ⦁ In the News: A Scottish woman ⦁ lost over $30,000 to a DeepFake relationship with an oil rig worker.⦁ In the News: Hong Kong police caught ⦁ a gang of scammers that catfished men across Asia to part with $46million. HOW ARE DEEPFAKES CREATED? There are many resources and tools available to create DeepFakes: ⦁ FaceSwap enables users to swap faces in images as well as photos.⦁ DeepFaceLab is a popular tool for creating DeepFake videos.⦁ Avatarify is a real-time DeepFake tool that gives facial movements onto avatars during live video calls.⦁ Descript is an audio-focused AI tool used to creates realistic voice deepfakes using text-to-speech. HOW CAN YOU DETECT DEEPFAKES? The good news is that advances in technology bring solutions to help protect against these scams. Using AI and machine learning algorithms, DeepFakes can be identified by tools such as:⦁ Microsoft Video Authenticator – Analyzes pixels and metadata to check if content has been manipulated.⦁ Truepic – Uses digital fingerprinting to authenticate media of if it has been tampered with.⦁ Sensity AI – Detects DeepFakes in real-time. SAFEGUARDING AGAINST DEEP TROUBLE Protect yourself and your organization from the dangers posed by DeepFakes, consider implementing a combination of technology, awareness, and best practices and policies:⦁ Advanced detection tools and technologies.⦁ Strengthened verification protocols (MFA, live detection).⦁ Content provenance solutions (blockchain, watermarking).Employee training to recognize DeepFake-driven attacks.⦁ Collaboration and intelligence sharing to monitor emerging Incident Response to minimize impact on the business and clients. ⦁ Proactive PR management to minimize reputational damage. DeepFake Poster Download your DeepFake Cybersecurity Awareness poster for your teams to remember to be alert and always verify your contacts and communications. HALOCK is a cybersecurity and risk management firm that offers reasonable security programs for your specific organization. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Business Upturn
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Upturn
FanRoom LIVE Reaches Show Milestone Garnering between 6 Million and 9 Million Views per Show as It Begins Its Star-Studded 2025 Season
By GlobeNewswire Published on May 24, 2025, 06:07 IST LOS ANGELES, CA, May 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FanRoom LIVE kicked off its 2025 season and sixth year with STRANGER THINGS star Cara Buono who participated in the renown Virtual Meet & Greet with many several enthusiastic fans from around the world coupled with FanRoom LIVE's Host and Executive Producer JAE BENJAMIN accompanied by the shows new Co-Host: Veteran Entertainment Reporter and TV personality, ASHLEY NICOLE SINGLETON! Benjamin is going on year 6 of Hosting and Executive Producing the show and is also currently in talks for several upcoming feature films and a major endorsement deal. Ashley Nicole Singleton boards the show as its new permanent Co-Host while continuing to grace red-carpets globally reporting on the hottest news in entertainment and bringing her years of experience and wealth of contacts to the platform. With Jae and Ashley excitingly teamed up on-camera, the chemistry is electric and will have fans even more engaged. As this season begins, you can be assured the excitement is mounting. FanRoom LIVE is now getting between 6 MILLION and 9 MILLION views per show on the 'iTube' platform, not including the various social media platforms like Youtube and the streamers. The show is garnering 87% of fans participating with and in the show from the United States, it's also pulling a 50/50 gender split, not including LGBTQ, with a demographic of 18 year olds – 55+ year olds. This is a massive accomplishment for the show, the FanRoom LIVE team and more importantly 'THE FANS' for whom none of this would be possible. All at FanRoom LIVE want the fans to know we love them and can not thank them enough for their years of ongoing support for our show. The amassed fanbase, online support and loyal viewership for the show has led to many several potential endorsement deals, sponsorships, brand marketing deals and more to begin talks with the platform. FanRoom LIVE has shows booked and continuing to be added through the rest of the Spring and into the Summer/Fall and with that said is proud to announce some upcoming exclusives. June 15th Jae Benjamin and Ashley Singleton with fans will sit down with Guy Bar and Ori Bejerano live from Tel Aviv Israel to discuss the future of Artificial Intelligence, Anti-Semitism and where it all goes after they shocked the world with their viral DeepFake Anti-Kanye West Celebrity AI video that fooled the world and lead to news outlets globally covering their viral DeepFake video. This Q&A is sure to turn heads and really spark some incredible healthy debates. Also in June top director/cinematographer Elias Acosta whose new movie 'Sanky Panky 4', the forth installation of Acosta's acclaimed franchise will sit down with Benjamin and Singleton with the cast of Sanky Panky and fans. Sanky Panky 4 is now in theaters throughout the Dominican Republic, soon South America, the United States then streaming platforms. If these shows weren't enough, through Jae Benjamin's years of friendship to recent Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee First Lady of Boxing Jackie Kallen, who Mega Ryan played in the movie: AGAINST THE ROPES, a movie about and based on Jackie Kallen and her influence on women in boxing which changed the sport forever, Kallen returns to FanRoom LIVE with her new fighter, current IBF Bantamweight World Champion Shurretta Metcalf for a PRE-FIGHT Q&A with fans and more, for Metcalf's live upcoming title fight on NETFLIX against Dina Thorslund who will try and strip Metcalf of her belt on July 11th from Madison Square Garden in New York City. FanRoom LIVE will be having its first VIP TICKETED FIGHT NIGHT LIVE EVENT & VIP WATCH PARTY in support of Shurretta Metcalf and Jackie Kallen in association with NETFLIX, Jake Paul and MVP during the fight on July 11. Fans and like will be able to join Jae Benjamin, Ashley Singleton, Fight Night LIVE's Pro-Boxing commentator, Former WBU Junior Middleweight Champion and Star of NBC's The Contender Jimmy Lang. The Contender also starred Jackie Kallen, Sugar Ray Leonard and Sylvester Stallone. Jimmy Lang currently is part of the training team for Magic Johnson's 'Washington Commanders' and recently co-starred alongside Jae Benjamin and Tom Sizemore in the movie, The Legend of Jack and Diane. Along with Benjamin, Singleton and Lang, there will be tons of celebrity drop-ins, boxing greats and more as they all cheer-on Shurretta Metcalf while also commentating on the fight and speaking to Kallen and Metcalf exclusively Pre and Post Fight on July 11th. Jackie Kallen will return yet again to FanRoom LIVE last week of August for a PRE-FIGHT Q&A with Antonio Sabato Jr. taking questions from fans and the like for his upcoming featured celebrity boxing event live from Philadelphia on September 26th. FanRoom LIVE will host its second VIP TICKETED FIGHT NIGHT LIVE EVENT & VIP WATCH PARTY on September 26th in support Antonio Sabato Jr. and Jackie Kallen. These upcoming fights is FanRoom LIVE's first group of many several: Celebrity Fight Night LIVE events. About FanRoom Live FanRoom LIVE is an interactive virtual event series online, where Fans get to meet their favorite actors, comedians, athletes, musicians and more- in a group town hall style meet and greet with Q&As. FanRoom LIVE brings something special and unique to the online world for Fans worldwide! The show was created and is Executive Produced by Cedric The Entertainer, Jeff Krauss, Jae Benjamin, Mich Faulkner and Stacey Toy. FanRoom LIVE gets between 6M – 9M views per episode on the 'iTube' platform and has close to 100M streams globally to date. This a fun and phenomenal experience for all and the exposure is fantastic! We have been covered and continue to get coverage in: FORBES, GQ MAGAZINE, USA TODAY, YAHOO! ENTERTAINMENT, PAGE SIX, NY DAILY NEWS, ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT, DAILY MAIL, US WEEKLY, and many other outlets to say the least. Media contact Company: FanRoom Live Name: Media team Email: [email protected] Website: Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. GlobeNewswire provides press release distribution services globally, with substantial operations in North America and Europe.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
FanRoom LIVE Reaches Show Milestone Garnering between 6 Million and 9 Million Views per Show as It Begins Its Star-Studded 2025 Season
LOS ANGELES, CA, May 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FanRoom LIVE kicked off its 2025 season and sixth year with STRANGER THINGS star Cara Buono who participated in the renown Virtual Meet & Greet with many several enthusiastic fans from around the world coupled with FanRoom LIVE's Host and Executive Producer JAE BENJAMIN accompanied by the shows new Co-Host: Veteran Entertainment Reporter and TV personality, ASHLEY NICOLE SINGLETON! Benjamin is going on year 6 of Hosting and Executive Producing the show and is also currently in talks for several upcoming feature films and a major endorsement deal. Ashley Nicole Singleton boards the show as its new permanent Co-Host while continuing to grace red-carpets globally reporting on the hottest news in entertainment and bringing her years of experience and wealth of contacts to the platform. With Jae and Ashley excitingly teamed up on-camera, the chemistry is electric and will have fans even more this season begins, you can be assured the excitement is mounting. FanRoom LIVE is now getting between 6 MILLION and 9 MILLION views per show on the "iTube" platform, not including the various social media platforms like Youtube and the streamers. The show is garnering 87% of fans participating with and in the show from the United States, it's also pulling a 50/50 gender split, not including LGBTQ, with a demographic of 18 year olds - 55+ year olds. This is a massive accomplishment for the show, the FanRoom LIVE team and more importantly "THE FANS" for whom none of this would be possible. All at FanRoom LIVE want the fans to know we love them and can not thank them enough for their years of ongoing support for our show. The amassed fanbase, online support and loyal viewership for the show has led to many several potential endorsement deals, sponsorships, brand marketing deals and more to begin talks with the platform. FanRoom LIVE has shows booked and continuing to be added through the rest of the Spring and into the Summer/Fall and with that said is proud to announce some upcoming exclusives. June 15th Jae Benjamin and Ashley Singleton with fans will sit down with Guy Bar and Ori Bejerano live from Tel Aviv Israel to discuss the future of Artificial Intelligence, Anti-Semitism and where it all goes after they shocked the world with their viral DeepFake Anti-Kanye West Celebrity AI video that fooled the world and lead to news outlets globally covering their viral DeepFake video. This Q&A is sure to turn heads and really spark some incredible healthy debates. Also in June top director/cinematographer Elias Acosta whose new movie "Sanky Panky 4", the forth installation of Acosta's acclaimed franchise will sit down with Benjamin and Singleton with the cast of Sanky Panky and fans. Sanky Panky 4 is now in theaters throughout the Dominican Republic, soon South America, the United States then streaming platforms. If these shows weren't enough, through Jae Benjamin's years of friendship to recent Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee First Lady of Boxing Jackie Kallen, who Mega Ryan played in the movie: AGAINST THE ROPES, a movie about and based on Jackie Kallen and her influence on women in boxing which changed the sport forever, Kallen returns to FanRoom LIVE with her new fighter, current IBF Bantamweight World Champion Shurretta Metcalf for a PRE-FIGHT Q&A with fans and more, for Metcalf's live upcoming title fight on NETFLIX against Dina Thorslund who will try and strip Metcalf of her belt on July 11th from Madison Square Garden in New York City. FanRoom LIVE will be having its first VIP TICKETED FIGHT NIGHT LIVE EVENT & VIP WATCH PARTY in support of Shurretta Metcalf and Jackie Kallen in association with NETFLIX, Jake Paul and MVP during the fight on July 11. Fans and like will be able to join Jae Benjamin, Ashley Singleton, Fight Night LIVE's Pro-Boxing commentator, Former WBU Junior Middleweight Champion and Star of NBC's The Contender Jimmy Lang. The Contender also starred Jackie Kallen, Sugar Ray Leonard and Sylvester Stallone. Jimmy Lang currently is part of the training team for Magic Johnson's 'Washington Commanders' and recently co-starred alongside Jae Benjamin and Tom Sizemore in the movie, The Legend of Jack and Diane. Along with Benjamin, Singleton and Lang, there will be tons of celebrity drop-ins, boxing greats and more as they all cheer-on Shurretta Metcalf while also commentating on the fight and speaking to Kallen and Metcalf exclusively Pre and Post Fight on July 11th. Jackie Kallen will return yet again to FanRoom LIVE last week of August for a PRE-FIGHT Q&A with Antonio Sabato Jr. taking questions from fans and the like for his upcoming featured celebrity boxing event live from Philadelphia on September 26th. FanRoom LIVE will host its second VIP TICKETED FIGHT NIGHT LIVE EVENT & VIP WATCH PARTY on September 26th in support Antonio Sabato Jr. and Jackie Kallen. These upcoming fights is FanRoom LIVE's first group of many several: Celebrity Fight Night LIVE events. About FanRoom Live FanRoom LIVE is an interactive virtual event series online, where Fans get to meet their favorite actors, comedians, athletes, musicians and more- in a group town hall style meet and greet with Q&As. FanRoom LIVE brings something special and unique to the online world for Fans worldwide! The show was created and is Executive Produced by Cedric The Entertainer, Jeff Krauss, Jae Benjamin, Mich Faulkner and Stacey Toy. FanRoom LIVE gets between 6M - 9M views per episode on the 'iTube' platform and has close to 100M streams globally to date. This a fun and phenomenal experience for all and the exposure is fantastic! We have been covered and continue to get coverage in: FORBES, GQ MAGAZINE, USA TODAY, YAHOO! ENTERTAINMENT, PAGE SIX, NY DAILY NEWS, ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT, DAILY MAIL, US WEEKLY, and many other outlets to say the least. Media contact Company: FanRoom Live Name: Media team Email: events@ Website:
Forbes
28-03-2025
- Health
- Forbes
Can Deepfakes Damage Your Health?
Deepfake technology is creating a dangerous wave of health misinformation, from fake celebrity ... More endorsements of "miracle cures" to AI-generated medical advice that undermines trust in healthcare professionals. Today, more of us than ever are turning to the internet and technologies like remote medicine for healthcare services and advice. But given the explosion of AI-generated fake news and disinformation online, is this potentially putting our health at risk? This is a worrying question we have to tackle head-on in the age of deepfakes – highly realistic AI-generated content showing things that never happened or people saying things they never said. Most people first came across deepfakes as often viral, entertaining novelties like DeepFake Tom Cruise. But their darker side takes in political manipulation, election interference, conspiracy theories and non-consensual pornography. However, some of the most nefarious uses are increasingly in healthcare, where accurate, factual information and trust are critically important to good outcomes. From faked celebrity endorsements to harmful AI-generated medical advice, are deepfakes fueling a dangerous wave of misinformation and disinformation that could seriously damage our health? Fake celebrity endorsements have always been a problem online—as Oprah has spoken about her frustration over fake ads for diet pills and supplements for many years. But in an age when virtually anyone can easily create a convincing video of anything they want in seconds, the problem is significantly amplified. Tom Hanks is one of the high-profile figures who has felt the need to issue a public warning that deepfake video of him promoting 'miracle cures and wonder drugs' are not genuine and could pose a threat to health. If you wouldn't necessarily trust Tom Hanks to give you medical advice anyway, what about a famous TV doctor? There have been several cases where deepfake videos of well-known professionals have been used to entice viewers into buying bootleg or illegal medicines for diabetes and high blood pressure. Charities can be targets too – in Australia Diabetes Victoria said that footage of experts endorsing supplements as an alternative to medical treatment for diabetes was deepfake. The people featured in deepfake health disinformation don't even have to be real as long as they seem trustworthy. A wave of fake and potentially dangerous medical advice in TikTok videos prompted a New York Post investigation, which found that fake clips featuring entirely made-up people can be created with a few clicks on an app. There are also fears that deepfakes could be used to spread misinformation about public health issues like pandemics and vaccinations. Disinformation spread by fake celebrities or healthcare professionals could impact compliance with public health advisories like mask-wearing or hand-washing, reducing their effectiveness. Deepfakes threats to healthcare are particularly concerning because of the importance of trust. After all, a society that doesn't trust healthcare professionals probably won't stay healthy for long. If people genuinely have difficulty distinguishing between genuine medical advice and dangerous disinformation, the consequences for everybody could be severe. The important thing to remember is that deepfake technology is as easy to spot and unconvincing now as it will ever be. Tomorrow, like all AI, it's going to be much more sophisticated. This is a scary prospect if you're already wondering how you're supposed to survive in a world where Oprah Winfrey and Tom Hanks are trying to kill you with bad advice. Lawmakers in some areas are starting to get to grips with the sale of the challenge. The EU AI Act, China's Generative AI Measures regulations, and various US state-level laws, all contain measures aimed at preventing harm. But as with the explosion in so many other digital crimes—phishing scams, ransomware and the like—there's a limit to what the law will do. As an international crime with a very low barrier to entry, it's unlikely to be stamped out any time soon. For most of us, the answer lies in ourselves, which means taking on the responsibility of developing our own critical thinking and deepfake-era survival skills. This starts by understanding the threats. It's possible that the employee of a Hong Kong business who transferred $25 million to scammers on the instructions of a deepfake of her CEO's voice might not have done it if they'd known it was an increasingly common scam. You also need to hone your skills at verifying information, checking sources for reliability, and looking out for technical signs that what you're watching isn't right. These often include unusual facial movements or audio and video that seem mismatched. Navigating the mountain of online content, help and advice related to health, exercise and diet online was a minefield at the best of times. Thanks to deepfakes, it's getting a whole lot tricker. But by understanding the threat and taking a few steps to help you establish fact from fiction, we can all help to protect ourselves and each other from harm.
