You won't be fooled by deepfakes if you know these 6 important tips

In the age of rapid digital technology, the line between reality and virtuality is becoming increasingly fragile. One of the biggest threats to truth and our trust is “deepfake”, a technology that creates incredibly sophisticated fake videos, images and sounds.

These deepfakes can be used for a variety of purposes, from entertainment to fraud, defamation, and even political unrest. So how can we protect ourselves from these sophisticated scams?

1. Reverse Image and Video Search - How to Detect Fake Content

Reverse image search is one of the simplest yet most effective methods to verify the authenticity of online content.

This method is useful when someone is trying to fool you with a fake profile, or when you need to check if a photo has been edited. It is also useful for detecting deepfakes, fake videos created with AI.

How to reverse image search

You can easily perform a reverse search with Google Lens. Just find the image you want to check, click the Lens icon, and Google will show you the web pages that contain that image.

If the image appears on multiple pages with different titles or comes from a website that offers free stock photos, it's likely a fake.

Reverse deepfake video search

If you suspect a video is a deepfake, you can use free testing tools like Deepware. These tools work similarly to reverse phone number lookups, helping you trace the video's origin and verify its authenticity.

Detect fake profiles on social networks

Identifying fake social media accounts can be more complicated, but there are still ways to check:

Reverse profile image search:Upload the photo to Google or use Google Lens to see if it appears on other websites.

Search for name and username:Enter the account name along with the social media platform to find traces.

Copy and search images:Right click on the image, select Copy image address, then go to Google, select Search by image and paste the copied address into the search bar.

Similar to images, if a video or photo appears on multiple sites with different names or originates from a stock photo site, it could be a sign of fake content.

By using reverse search engines, you can easily detect and protect yourself from Internet scams.

2. Live Interaction Check - How to Spot AI Video Scams

AI video call scams are becoming more common, but the good news is you can protect yourself with just a simple live interaction test.

Observe head movement:Ask the caller to tilt their head quickly to one side. If it's a fake video, the movement will look unnatural or distorted.

Check latency:Deepfake videos often have a delay, making the image look stiff and more robotic than the reactions of a real human.

Confuse to test reaction:Say something unexpected or ask a random question. AI often has difficulty responding quickly to unexpected situations, which can catch scammers off guard.

If you notice any suspicious signs, end the call immediately to avoid being scammed.

3.Detecting deepfakes through facial inconsistencies

When watching a video of a real person, their face always looks natural, from the expressions to the way their mouths move when they speak. People often joke that AI has no personality, but in reality, deepfake tools still can't accurately replicate human emotions.

If you suspect you're watching a deepfake video, pay attention to facial abnormalities, which is one of the easiest ways to spot fake content:

Awkward expression:See how easily they can change their facial expressions. Deepfakes often have trouble expressing emotions naturally.

Mismatched mouth movements:Watch closely as they talk, if the mouth moves unnaturally or out of sync with the voice, it could be a sign of a deepfake.

While not everyone has perfect expressions when talking, these small details can help you recognize which is a real person and which is a fake AI.

4. Detect deepfakes through unusual details

Deepfake photos and videos often give away telltale signs that they’re not real. One of the easiest ways to spot them is to look for small imperfections that AI has trouble accurately reproducing.

Strange hand shape:Deepfakes often have trouble reproducing hands, especially when characters put their hands in their pockets or make complex movements. Fingers can look distorted or unnatural.

Unnatural movement:If the arm or body moves in a strange way that doesn't resemble human reflexes, it's most likely a deepfake.

Interaction with the surrounding environment:Look at how the character moves in the scene. Deepfakes often don't blend well with the background, making them look artificially "separated" from their surroundings.

These small details may not be immediately noticeable, but when you look closely, you will clearly see the difference between a real video and a deepfake.

5. Detecting deepfakes through robotic or faulty voices

One of the simplest ways to detect deepfakes is to listen to the voice. Despite the advancements in AI technology, voices in deepfake videos often have some unusual features:

Sounds like a robot:The voice may lack emotion, sound stiff or unnatural, like a computer voice.

Weird audio bug:Sometimes you may hear distortion, interruptions, or inappropriate changes in the audio, signs that the voice is generated using AI.

Lack of synchronization:In many cases, the voice and mouth movements do not match completely, creating a feeling of "off beat" when watching.

These errors are not due to technical problems with the camera, but are often due to poor calibration by the deepfake creator. If you spot these signs, be cautious, as you may be watching a fake video.

6. Detecting deepfakes through poor interaction with objects

AI still has many limitations when it comes to replicating the way humans interact with objects.

To spot a deepfake, look for unnatural object interactions, such as:

Strange accessories:Hats, glasses, or jewelry may appear distorted, not clinging to the body as they do in real life.

Distorted object:If someone is holding an object like a glass, phone, or cutlery, look to see if it looks unusual. AI often has trouble accurately representing a finger grip.

Interaction with the environment:When the person in the photo or video touches the table, chair, or food, see if anything looks floaty, distorted, or doesn't match the actual movement.

While many deepfakes are very sophisticated, you can still spot the signs of a fake with a little careful observation. If any details don't match how humans interact with the real world, consider that a red flag.