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McAfee has launched Project Mockingbird to tackle the rising threat of AI-created deepfakes using audio to scam consumers. This innovative technology, introduced at CES 2024 in Las Vegas, aims to protect people from cybercriminals who use doctored, AI-generated audio to deceive and manipulate. These scams often start with a legitimate video featuring a credible speaker, only to insert fabricated audio that the person never actually said, creating a convincing deepfake, as explained by McAfee’s CTO, Steve Grobman.
“McAfee has always been about protecting users from digital threats, from detecting malware to blocking harmful websites,” said Grobman. With the advent of generative AI, there’s been a significant shift toward scammers using this technology for various scams. He emphasized that as we enter the election cycle, there will likely be new forms of AI-driven disinformation as well as legitimate political content. McAfee has therefore increased its investment in technology to help users identify and trust content.
Scammers might combine deepfake content with other stolen materials to further confuse victims. For example, after Insomniac Games was hacked, mixed among the real hacked data was deepfake content, making it hard to differentiate.
At CES, McAfee demonstrated its latest technologies, including Project Mockingbird, which detects deepfake audio. Grobman explained that the technology checks whether the audio is genuine by analyzing the spoken words. This technology is crucial as deepfake audio scams are becoming more common, found extensively on social media, and pose a significant threat, especially with the upcoming U.S. Presidential election.
To help consumers identify real versus fake content, McAfee Labs developed advanced AI models, with Project Mockingbird achieving over 90% accuracy in detecting altered audio. Grobman likened this capability to a weather forecast that helps users navigate their digital landscape.
The deepfake detection technology will be integrated into products, protecting users already worried about encountering deepfakes on social platforms. This technology will help guide users in making informed decisions about the authenticity of online content, protecting their privacy and well-being.
During CES 2024, attendees experienced Project Mockingbird firsthand, showcasing McAfee’s commitment to using advanced AI for consumer protection. McAfee drew parallels between cybercriminals and mockingbirds, both of whom mimic for complex reasons.
A December 2023 survey by McAfee highlighted deepfake concerns among Americans, with 68% more worried than the previous year and 33% having encountered or known about deepfake scams. The top fears included election interference, cyberbullying, and fake news, demonstrating the widespread apprehension about deepfakes.
Grobman pointed out the challenge of distinguishing between real and fake, especially in the political sphere, where AI-created content could mislead the public. He mentioned that AI now does things better than humans in many respects.
To detect deepfakes, McAfee uses AI models similar to those for detecting malware and identifying dangerous websites. These models analyze audio and video to predict whether content is AI-generated.
McAfee has also employed AI to detect fake text messages and provide web protection on various platforms. Grobman stressed the need for consumer awareness about the ease of creating deepfakes and the importance of trusted technology to help identify them.
Project Mockingbird is being integrated into McAfee’s product line, ensuring consumers can safely navigate their digital lives with confidence. By subscribing to McAfee updates, users can stay informed about the latest advancements in digital security.