McAfee unveils AI-powered tool to combat deepfake audio scams

The technology is designed to shield users from the escalating risks of artificial audio fabrications used in various online scams and misinformation campaigns.

The advancement and widespread availability of generative AI tools have simplified the creation of compelling scams for cybercriminals. These include scenarios where voice cloning technology is used to mimic a distressed family member requesting financial help.

Additionally, there are manipulations known as "cheapfakes," where genuine videos, such as news broadcasts or celebrity interviews, are altered by inserting false audio. This technique changes the spoken words, creating the illusion that a reputable individual has made statements they never actually said.

In response, McAfee Labs has pioneered an AI model that sets new industry standards in detecting fake audio. Project Mockingbird combines several AI-driven models that analyze context, behavior, and category to determine the authenticity of audio clips within videos.

"With McAfee's latest AI detection capabilities, we will provide customers a tool which operates at more than 90% accuracy to help people understand their digital world and assess the likelihood of content being different than it seems," commented Steve Grobman, Chief Technology Officer at McAfee. "So, much like a weather forecast indicating a 70% chance of rain helps you plan your day, our technology equips you with insights to make educated decisions about whether content is what it appears to be."

McAfee uses a multi-model approach for an all-encompassing threat analysis. It includes structural models for identifying types of threats, behavioral models for understanding their actions, and contextual models for tracing the origins of the data involved.

The rise of deepfake technology

Deepfake technology, which integrates artificial intelligence and machine learning to manipulate or generate visual and audio content, has been evolving since the 1990s. Initially developed by researchers in academic institutions, it later spread to online communities and was eventually adopted by the industry.

The technology has advanced to create increasingly convincing synthetic media, allowing significant disruptions in entertainment and media industries. It uses deep generative methods to convincingly replace a person's likeness with that of another, or even create a synthetic version of their voice that can say whatever the malicious attacker wants.

Project Mockingbird not only addresses the immediate issue of deepfake scams but also sets a precedent for future cybersecurity solutions. It highlights the evolving role of AI in both creating and combating digital threats, underscoring the need for continuous innovation in cybersecurity measures to keep pace with advancing AI capabilities.