How AI & Deepfakes lead to Sextortion

Buckle up, and prepare yourself for the dark side of technological progress because AI is no exception to the rule.

Imagine a world where scammers wield the power of AI to create mind-boggling deepfakes, exposing you in compromising situations. These sextortion scams have reached a whole new level of maliciousness. Let me shed some light on two prevalent ways these scams are executed:

Picture this: someone close to you possesses naked pictures of you and shamelessly uses them to manipulate you into doing something you'd rather avoid. It's a terrifying thought, especially considering the perpetrator's familiarity with you.

OR

Picture receiving a random email that boldly claims to have a treasure trove of your intimate photos. Your disbelief drives you to click the link, only to realize you've fallen into a trap. As a result, your online accounts and even your beloved devices become vulnerable to compromise.

I worked several sextortion cases in the FBI; some were your average Jane, and some were celebrities. No matter who you are, you too can become a victim of sextortion. I'm sharing these tips to help you avoid it. 

Be cautious with intimate content:
• Avoid sharing explicit photos or videos with anyone you don't trust completely.
• Remember, once you share such content, you lose control over its use or distribution.
• If you share intimate content, consider protecting your identity by cropping out distinguishing features or using apps that allow you to blur or pixelate certain areas.

Be mindful of your online presence and privacy settings:
Adjust privacy settings on social media platforms to limit who can view your personal information and posts and review them regularly.
• Be cautious about accepting friend requests or connections from people you don't know in real life. Scammers and individuals with malicious intent may use fake profiles to gain access to your personal information or coerce you.
• Be wary of engaging in intimate conversations or sharing explicit content during online interactions with strangers or individuals you've only recently met. Exercise discretion and trust your instincts to protect your privacy.

Maintain strong online security practices:
Use strong, unique passwords for all your online accounts, including email and social media. Enable two-factor authentication whenever possible.
• Keep your software and apps up to date to protect against known vulnerabilities.
• Be cautious of suspicious links, emails, or attachments. Avoid clicking on unknown links or downloading files from untrusted sources, as they can be used to gain unauthorized access to your personal information.

If you find yourself targeted or threatened with sextortion, taking immediate action is crucial. Contact local law enforcement authorities and report the incident to the relevant online platforms or social media networks. They may have measures to address such situations and protect your privacy.

Are you looking for a digital forensics expert in your next legal matter? I'm here to help.


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