Modern computers process data at lightning speed, neural networks mimic intelligence, and the internet lets you find anything. You don’t need to worry when you enter some trusted sources, like Netflix, https://bizzocasino.com/, or Amazon. But what happens if scammers start using all these tools? Here’s how they exploit new technologies and how you can protect yourself.

Faking Photos and Videos with AI

Do you think you could tell the difference between a real photo or video and one created by a neural network? These fakes are called deepfakes. Sometimes even the most experienced and vigilant users can’t spot them.

Scammers may use deepfakes to:

• Steal someone’s identity to access social media or bank accounts.
• Blackmail victims by threatening to publish explicit or offensive videos featuring their likeness.
• Spread disinformation or fake news.
• Promote shady projects using the likeness of a famous person.
• Create fake videos of friends or family asking you to urgently send them money.

So, how to detect fake photos and videos?

In videos, look for unnatural movements, strange facial expressions, or anything that seems off, for example, if someone doesn’t blink. Blurred edges or distorted body parts can be a clue: AI still struggles with fingers and fine details. Uneven lighting or inconsistent skin tones are other warning signs.

If you’re unsure about an image, you can use special tools like the free service Image Edited. Upload a photo and it will tell you how it might have been altered.

Your best defense against scammers is critical thinking, awareness, and common sense. Always question anything you receive via social media, messengers, or email. Learn the common tricks scammers use. Never act hastily, and always verify any information before taking action.

Voice Deepfakes

Voice is even easier to fake than video, and this method is quickly gaining popularity. Scammers might:

• Hack a social media account and download voice messages from the account owner.
• Use those recordings to generate new audio with completely different content. This is no longer science fiction: neural networks can easily replicate speech patterns and tone.

• Send out the fake audio from the hacked account.

Common voice scam scenarios:

• A friend or family member asks you to urgently transfer money because they’re in trouble.
• Your boss asks for a loan to cover tax penalties.
• A well-known figure (an actor or entrepreneur) tells you about an amazing promotion. To join, you need to click a link and enter your card details or other personal information.

How to spot a voice deepfake?

Pay attention to sound quality. Be suspicious of unclear words, distortions, background noise, monotone delivery, or robotic speech.

Still, fakes can be convincing, so your main defense is vigilance. If you get a voice message from someone you know with an unexpected request, call them directly to confirm, but not through the messenger, since the account could be compromised.

Next-Gen Phishing Attacks

The main goal of phishing is to lure you in with an enticing offer, get you to click a malicious link, and prompt you to take action, like submitting your data or making a payment. You’ve likely received emails claiming you won a million-dollar prize or offering a generous reward for taking a survey.

Now scammers use tools like ChatGPT, which is powered by AI that can write flawless, convincing messages in any style.

Neural networks can also write malicious code or create dangerous viruses much faster than a human coder. That code can then be embedded into phishing websites or attached to emails. With this level of automation, phishing attacks have increased, and anyone can fall victim.

Here is how to avoid the trap:

Follow the rule: “don’t trust, verify.” That applies to all information online, no matter how legitimate it looks. Don’t let greed cloud your judgment, t’s what scammers rely on. Look for official sources, read reviews. Don’t click links or download attachments from strangers or even from friends, since their accounts could be hacked.

Document Forgery

Criminals have long known how to forge documents. First by hand, then with Photoshop, but it was always a time-consuming process.

Now, with neural networks, fake passports or driver’s licenses can be generated in seconds. They can then be used to:

• Apply for loans or complete other banking transactions.

• Set up shell companies.
• Register for car-sharing services or crypto exchanges.
• Pass identity checks on social networks, banking portals, or mobile operator websites.

Unfortunately, there are many situations where documents are required but not reliably verified. If a person is the one checking the document, they may simply compare the photo and record the data often without detecting the fake.

Fortunately, obtaining a high-quality fake on a physical medium is still not that easy. You’d only be at risk if someone specifically targets you. However, many online services accept just a photo of a document, which makes digital forgeries much easier to use.

How to protect yourself:

None of us can change weak identity verification systems. But you can limit the amount of personal information you share publicly, making things harder for criminals.

Digital Footprint Analysis

Have you ever thought about how much information you leave behind online? Meanwhile, scammers may be analyzing your:

• Photos, posts, and comments on social media.
• Purchases and reviews on marketplaces or other sites.
• Geotags.
• Search history.
• Personal details like birthdate, phone number, or even your pet’s name.

Remember about account hacks. If you use your pet’s name as a password or security question, that photo captioned “Me and my puppy” might help a criminal crack your login.

Why do they do it?

• To act at the right time in the right place, for example, when they know you’re on vacation and your house is empty.
• To craft convincing stories for scams and extortion. They want to find what you will respond to (money, children, relatives), something that hits your emotional buttons.

Criminals use web analytics services to collect and analyze this data, many of which rely heavily on AI. So don’t be surprised if, after posting a beach photo with a geotag, you get an offer for a free cocktail at a nearby bar…

So, how to protect your personal information?

Before posting anything online, think: could a scammer use this against me? Don’t share photos or posts with personal details and better yet, make your profile private. Secure your accounts with strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication.