Deepfakes – those eerily convincing artificial videos and audio clips created using AI – have evolved from entertaining social media curiosities into serious security threats. They’ve already been leveraged during presidential campaigns and to defraud larger firms to the tune of over $243,000. It’s only a matter of time before SMBs start being targeted, too.
While they were once clunky and obvious, today’s deepfakes can fool even trained observers. But don’t panic – there are still ways to spot them if you know what to look for.
Let’s dive into five telltale signs that could save your business from becoming another deepfake statistic.
Sign #1: Shifty Skin
Ever noticed how some Instagram filters make skin look unnaturally smooth? That’s your first clue. Deepfake videos are typically made by superimposing a digitally modeled face over a real person. Because of this, they often struggle with realistic skin rendering, creating an artificial perfection – an airbrushed effect that just looks off.
Watch for unusual blurring or smudging (especially around the mouth and hairline), differences in resolution, and differences in lighting and color between the face and body.
Pro tip: Pay extra attention to glasses. They’re one of the hardest things for AI to get right. When someone turns their head, do their glasses move naturally? Does the glare shift as it should? These subtle details often trip up even sophisticated deepfakes.
Sign #2: Blinking (Or Not)
Human beings blink. It sounds obvious – yet deepfake AIs often struggle with this simple human trait. Watch for unusual blinking patterns – either too frequent, too slow, or sometimes hardly at all. Natural blinking typically happens every 2-10 seconds (though this varies in conversation).
Admittedly, this can be harder to discern over video, and for many of us, making eye contact with a camera isn’t natural. But someone not blinking for a full minute? That’s not just poor eye contact – it might be a red flag.
Sign #3. Mismatches Between Mouth and Message
If you’ve ever watched Lip Sync Battle, you’ll know just how impressive a performance can be when you can’t distinguish between performer and backing track. And if you were a fan of foreign martial arts films back in the day, you’ll know just how much bad dubbing can throw off your viewing experience. Modern deepfakes can sometimes feel like the high-tech cousins of this phenomenon.
The human mouth makes incredibly complex movements when we’re speaking. When these movements don’t quite match the audio, your brain might sense something’s off before you can pinpoint exactly why.
Look out for lip synchronization – does the mouth movement match the words being spoken? Keep an eye out for obvious and more subtle misalignments or movements that seem mechanical rather than natural.
Sign #4: Emotional Disconnect
Even at the tippity-top of the corporate ladder, humans are emotional beings. We don’t just communicate with words, but with tone, facial expressions, and body language. Deepfakes often struggle to maintain emotional consistency across all these channels.
Listen for monotone delivery of exciting news or mundane updates delivered with uncharacteristic pep and jarring emphasis on certain words. In videos, watch for facial expressions that don’t quite match the message, too. If someone’s announcing a major crisis with a slight smile, or their voice carries a question-like lift at the end of definitive statements, your deepfake detector should start buzzing.
Sign #5: Content and Context
Sometimes the biggest red flag isn’t in the video or audio at all – it’s in the context. Is a senior executive suddenly requesting an urgent wire transfer? Is someone asking for sensitive information in an unusual way? These scenarios (which we explored more of here) should trigger immediate verification through alternative channels.
Remember: in audio-only calls, you’re working with limited detection tools. Whenever possible, opt for video calls or in-person meetings for sensitive discussions. Better yet, initiate these calls yourself rather than accepting incoming ones.
Did You Spot The Fake?
That’s right – you’ve already encountered deepfake video.
Constructed in a matter of minutes, using spoofed audio and a free generation tool.
To be clear, we don’t make a habit of deceiving our audience. But deepfakes are becoming increasingly common in everything from marketing materials to social media – and we want to do our bit to show just how easily they can be missed if you’re not being vigilant.
Deepfakes are only getting harder to spot, which is why training your whole team regularly is one of the most important steps you can take for your business in 2025. Stay up-to-date with emerging deepfake scams, share articles like this one with your network, and review your wider cybersecurity practices to ensure all your employees know about the threats they’re facing.
Want to make sure this education sticks? Bring an experienced IT support provider like us into the fold.
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