10 celebs most targeted by malicious deepfake scams, dangerous search results

Impersonation scams are in every single place nowadays, and scammers like to pose as authorities officers, large companies and even politicians. But typically, they’re additionally pretending to be your favourite celebrities. You’ve in all probability seen deepfakes of celebrities selling cryptocurrency, NFTs or sketchy merchandise (significantly, Tom Hanks isn’t out right here pushing bogus medical merchandise). Plenty of well-known faces have been dragged into these scams, however in the event you’re questioning who the highest targets have been in 2024, I’ve acquired an inventory for you under, together with some tricks to keep away from getting duped.

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Illustration of hacker at work (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

2024 hacker movie star scorching listing

Cybersecurity agency McAfee has put collectively a helpful listing of the highest 10 celebrities who’ve been frequent targets of malicious deepfake scams and dangerous search results. Topping the listing is actor Scarlett Johansson, identified for her roles in Marvel’s “Avengers” franchise and movies like “Lucy” and “Lost in Translation.” Right behind her is media character Kylie Jenner, well-known for her magnificence merchandise. There are loads of different large names on the listing, so let’s dive in.

1) Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson’s identify and likeness have been used with out her permission in numerous ads and endorsements. Earlier this yr, OpenAI, the corporate behind ChatGPT, launched an AI mannequin known as GPT-4o, which featured a voice output that intently resembled the actor’s. However, Ms. Johansson by no means licensed using her voice within the AI mannequin. After she employed authorized counsel and despatched formal letters to OpenAI, the corporate eliminated the voice.

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“Celebrity Hacker HotList” (McAfee) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

2) Kylie Jenner

Kylie Jenner is a well-liked actuality star and influencer whose identify and likeness have been used with out permission for social media giveaway scams and pretend Kylie Cosmetics merchandise and web sites.

3) Taylor Swift

Popular singer Taylor Swift has been a frequent goal of scams involving the unauthorized use of her identify and likeness. These embrace faux movie star endorsements for merchandise she’s by no means promoted, ticket scams the place followers are tricked into shopping for nonexistent live performance tickets and fraudulent product giveaways.

Beyond that, Swift’s picture has been utilized in disinformation campaigns, together with false political endorsements, regardless of her being vocal about supporting solely particular causes and candidates.

4) Anya Taylor-Joy

Anya Taylor-Joy has fallen sufferer to scams the place her identify and likeness, together with faux social media accounts, have been used with out her consent for fraudulent giveaway promotions. Plus, misinformation has been unfold utilizing her picture, significantly regarding her roles in streaming sequence, resulting in confusion amongst followers. Scammers have exploited her rising fame, particularly after her success in “The Queen’s Gambit,” to mislead the general public and capitalize on her reputation.

5) Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks has been targeted in scams the place his identify and likeness have been misused to advertise “miracle cures” and “wonder drugs” with out his consent. These scams typically falsely affiliate the beloved actor with well being merchandise or remedies, deceptive individuals into pondering he endorses them. The actor was compelled to share a message on Instagram warning followers to not fall for advertisements falsely utilizing his identify, likeness and voice to advertise these medication.

6) Sabrina Carpenter

Singer Sabrina Carpenter has been a goal of scams the place her identify and likeness have been used with out permission to advertise faux ticketing schemes and to promote a controversial app designed for creating sexually specific photographs.

7) Sydney Sweeney

Sydney Sweeney, an acclaimed actor identified for her standout roles in hit sequence like “Euphoria” and “The White Lotus,” has been exploited in scams the place her identify and likeness have been used with out her permission to advertise fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes. These scams typically falsely declare that the actress endorses numerous crypto investments, deceptive followers into pondering they will belief her suggestions.

8) Blake Lively

Blake Lively, identified for her roles in “Gossip Girl” and “A Simple Favor,” has been targeted in scams the place her likeness was used with out permission to advertise fraudulent weight-loss gummy merchandise.

9) Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp, the famend actor identified for his iconic roles in movies like “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Edward Scissorhands,” has been a sufferer of scams that misuse his likeness with out permission. His picture has been exploited in numerous fraudulent actions, together with giveaway scams, cryptocurrency schemes and deceptive fundraising efforts.

10) Addison Rae

Addison Rae is a well-liked singer and social media influencer, greatest identified for her viral dance movies on TikTok and her rising music profession. However, her likeness has been used with out permission in quite a few scams, together with faux endorsements, fraudulent giveaways and deceptive cryptocurrency promotions.

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Deepfake cybercrime is on the rise

Thanks to developments in generative AI, even people with out technical experience can simply create faux personas of others. The lack of regulation on this space has paved the best way for scams that may rob individuals of their hard-earned cash. Alongside phishing scams and malware-laden hyperlinks that exploit the recognition and status of celebrities to deceive their followers, these extremely life like video and audio clips can convincingly mimic an individual’s likeness. This makes it more and more tough to discern whether or not the content material is actual or faux.

An individual browsing on their laptop computer (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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5 methods you possibly can keep away from getting duped by deepfake scams

1) Verify sources: Always verify the credibility of the supply earlier than trusting any content material. Look for official accounts or respected information shops to substantiate info, particularly if it entails a celeb or public determine.

2) Look for inconsistencies: Pay consideration to particulars in movies or photographs. Deepfakes can have delicate inconsistencies, like unnatural facial actions, awkward lighting or mismatched audio. If one thing appears off, belief your instincts and examine additional.

3) Invest in robust antivirus software program: Protecting your gadgets with dependable antivirus software program is essential in defending towards deepfake scams and different cyber threats. These scams, together with people who misuse movie star photographs for fraudulent giveaways or unauthorized product endorsements, typically depend on phishing emails, malicious web sites and malware-laden hyperlinks to trick customers.

Protecting your gadgets with dependable antivirus software program will be an efficient method to guard towards deepfake scams and different cyber threats. Strong antivirus applications typically embrace options that detect malicious web sites and suspicious downloads, alerting you to potential scams earlier than you have interaction with them. Get my picks for the most effective 2024 antivirus safety winners on your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS gadgets.

4) Educate your self: Stay knowledgeable concerning the newest deepfake know-how and the frequent scams related to it. Understanding how deepfakes are created might help you acknowledge potential scams extra simply.

5) Use reverse picture search: If you come throughout suspicious photographs or movies, use reverse picture search instruments (like Google Images) 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, but it surely’s additionally extraordinarily dangerous. Bad actors have efficiently weaponized this tech to rip-off individuals, producing legitimate-looking phishing emails and messages which can be practically unimaginable to detect. Furthermore, as a result of AI makes all of it really easy and quick, cybercriminals can goal individuals on an unprecedented scale. Companies creating these AI fashions must implement safeguards to stop the know-how from being exploited, and governments ought to implement these safeguards.

Have you ever encountered a deepfake or a rip-off that used somebody’s likeness? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For extra of my tech suggestions and safety alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

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