Pretend scams are all over the place today, and scammers wish to pose as authorities officers, giant firms and even politicians. However typically, additionally they fake to be your favourite celebrities. You’ve got in all probability seen deep fakes of celebrities selling cryptocurrency, NFTs or sketchy merchandise (severely, Tom Hanks is not pushing pretend medical merchandise right here). Many well-known faces have been dragged into these scams, however in the event you’re questioning who the highest targets had been in 2024, I’ve bought a listing for you under, together with some ideas for avoiding scams.
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2024 Hacker Celeb Scorching Listing
Cyber safety agency McAfee has compiled a helpful record of the highest 10 celebrities who’ve been frequent targets of harmful deepfake scams and dangerous search outcomes. Topping the record is actress Scarlett Johansson, identified for her roles in Marvel’s “Avengers” franchise and movies like “Lucy” and “Misplaced in Translation.” Behind her is media character Kylie Jenner, well-known for her magnificence merchandise. There are lots of extra large names on the record, so let’s dive proper in.
1) Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson’s title and likeness have been utilized in varied ads and endorsements with out her permission. Earlier this yr, OpenAI, the corporate behind ChatGPT, launched an AI mannequin known as GPT-4o, which featured a voice output that resembled that of an actor. Nevertheless, Ms. Johansson by no means licensed using her voice within the AI mannequin. After he employed authorized counsel and despatched formal letters to OpenAI, the corporate eliminated the voice.
“Celeb Hacker Hotlist” (McAfee) (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
2) Kylie Jenner
Kylie Jenner is a well-liked actuality star and influencer whose title and likeness have been used with out permission for social media giveaway scams and faux Kylie Cosmetics merchandise and web sites.
3) Taylor Swift
Well-known singer Taylor Swift has been a frequent goal of scams involving the unauthorized use of her title and likeness. These embrace pretend superstar endorsements for merchandise he by no means promoted, ticket scams the place followers are tricked into shopping for non-existent live performance tickets and fraudulent merchandise.
Moreover, Swift’s picture has been utilized in misinformation campaigns, together with false political endorsements, regardless of solely talking about supporting particular causes and candidates.
4) No Taylor-Pleasure
Anya Taylor-Pleasure has been the sufferer of scams the place her title and likeness, together with pretend social media accounts, had been used with out her consent for fraudulent promotion. Moreover, misinformation has been unfold utilizing her picture, particularly about her roles in streaming collection, resulting in confusion amongst followers. Scammers have exploited her rising reputation, particularly after her success in “The Queen’s Gambit”, to mislead the general public and reap the benefits of her reputation.
5) Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks has been focused in scandals the place his title and likeness had been misused to advertise “miracle cures” and “marvel medicine” with out his consent. These scams typically affiliate the beloved actor with well being merchandise or therapies, deceptive individuals into considering he endorses them. The actor was pressured to share a message on Instagram warning followers to not fall for false ads utilizing his title, likeness and voice to advertise these medicine.
6) Sabrina Carpenter
Singer Sabrina Carpenter has been the goal of scams the place her title and likeness have been used to advertise pretend ticketing schemes and promote a controversial app designed to create sexually specific photos.
7) Sidney Sweeney
Sidney Sweeney, an acclaimed actress identified for her iconic roles in hit collection like “Euphoria” and “The White Lotus,” has been exploited in scams the place her title is used with out her permission to advertise fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes. and analogy has been used. These scams typically falsely declare that the actress endorses varied crypto investments, deceptive followers into considering they will belief her suggestions.
8) Blake Energetic
Blake Energetic, identified for her roles in “Gossip Woman” and “A Easy Favor,” has been focused in scandals the place her likeness was used with out permission to advertise fraudulent weight-loss gummy merchandise. .
9) Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp, the well-known actor identified for his iconic roles in motion pictures like “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Edward Scissorhands,” has been the sufferer of scams that misuse his likeness with out permission. His picture has been exploited in varied fraudulent actions, together with giveaway scams, cryptocurrency schemes and deceptive fundraising efforts.
10) Addison Roy
Addison Roy is a well-liked singer and social media influencer, finest identified for her viral dance movies on TikTok and her budding music profession. Nevertheless, his likeness has been used with out permission in a number of scams, together with pretend endorsements, scams and deceptive cryptocurrency promotions.
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Deepfake cybercrime is on the rise
Due to advances in generative AI, even people with out technical experience can simply create clones of others. The dearth of regulation on this space has paved the best way for scams that may rob individuals of their hard-earned cash. Together with phishing scams and malware-laden hyperlinks that exploit celebrities’ fame and status to trick their followers, these extremely life like video and audio clips can mimic an individual’s likeness. This makes it troublesome to find out whether or not the content material is real or pretend.
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Cyber crooks use AI to manipulate Google search results
5 methods you’ll be able to keep away from getting scammed by deep pretend scams
1) Confirm sources: All the time examine the credibility of the supply earlier than trusting any content material. Search for official accounts or respected information shops to confirm info, particularly if it includes a star or public determine.
2) Search for inconsistencies: Take note of particulars in movies or photos. A deepfake could comprise refined inconsistencies, corresponding to unnatural facial actions, unusual lighting or mismatched audio. If one thing appears off, belief your instincts and examine additional.
3) Put money into sturdy antivirus software program: Defending your units with dependable antivirus software program is important to defending towards deepfake scams and different cyber threats. These scams, together with people who misuse superstar photos for fraudulent giveaways or unauthorized product endorsements, typically depend on phishing emails, malicious web sites and malware-laden hyperlinks to trick customers.
Defending your units with dependable antivirus software program may be an efficient solution to keep away from deep-pocketed scams and different cyber threats. Robust antivirus applications typically embrace options that detect malicious web sites and suspicious downloads, alerting you to potential scams earlier than you connect with them. Get my picks for 2024’s best antivirus security winners for your Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.
4) Educate your self: Keep knowledgeable in regards to the newest deepfake know-how and customary scams related to it. Understanding how deep fakes are created will help you see potential scams extra simply.
5) Use reverse picture search: In case you see suspicious photos or movies, use a reverse picture search device (corresponding to Google Pictures) to see if the content material has been altered or utilized in different deceptive contexts.
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Kurt’s key takeaway
AI is a helpful know-how, however additionally it is very harmful. Unhealthy actors have efficiently weaponized this system to trick individuals, crafting legitimate-looking phishing emails and messages which can be practically not possible to detect. Furthermore, as a result of AI makes all of it a lot simpler and quicker, cybercriminals can goal individuals on an unprecedented scale. Corporations growing these AI fashions have to implement safeguards to forestall the know-how from being exploited, and governments should implement these safeguards.
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