How to Tell if You’re Vulnerable to Deepfakes

A Coin Trick, a Movie Star… and a Digital Doppelgänger

Have you seen that video of Tom Cruise doing a coin trick from back in 2021? It’s smooth, entertaining, and…not Tom Cruise. That’s right, it’s a deepfake. And while it’s impressively made, it also gives us a peek into how convincing this technology can be.

Deepfakes are AI-generated videos, audio, or images that can replicate real people’s faces, voices, and gestures with uncanny realism. It’s a fascinating innovation - one that’s opened up creative doors in film, media, and entertainment. But like any powerful tool, it comes with a catch: in the wrong hands, deepfakes can be used to mislead, impersonate, and deceive.

The good news? Knowing how deepfakes work and how to spot them is the first step toward staying safe. You don’t need to become a cybersecurity expert. Just a little awareness goes a long way.

Real World, Real Trickery

Here’s how deepfakes are making their way off the internet and into inboxes: In 2023, a mother got a call from her daughter - or so she thought. The voice on the other end was panicked. There was talk of a kidnapping. A ransom. It sounded exactly like her daughter. But it wasn’t real. It was an AI-generated voice trained on publicly available clips. Thankfully, the mother discovered it was a scam before sending money.

That kind of impersonation used to be the stuff of spy movies. Now? All it takes is a few voice samples, a little software, and someone willing to exploit trust.

Quick Gut Check: Are You Vulnerable?

This isn’t a pop quiz. Just a reflection. Ask yourself:

How do you handle information?

• Do you instinctively trust messages that come from familiar names or faces?

• Do you usually read/watch content without verifying who created it or shared it first?

• Do you believe something is true if multiple people you know are sharing it?

How much of yourself is online?

• Have you uploaded videos of yourself speaking to platforms like TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube?

• Do your posts include your voice, face, full name, and current location?

• Have you ever filled out a “get to know me” quiz or posted your favorite movie, pet’s name, or childhood street as part of a trend?

• Have you shared any publicly viewable content from a wedding, graduation, or workplace event?

How do you work under pressure?

• If your boss called you with an urgent wire request, would you hesitate to verify?

• Do you get anxious when you feel you’re being slow to respond, especially to executives or clients?

• Have you ever clicked on a shared video or audio file out of curiosity, even if it felt a little suspicious?

What’s your default response to weirdness?

• If something “feels off” in a call or message, do you usually talk yourself out of it?

• Do you assume that tech glitches (like out-of-sync video or audio distortion) are just poor connections?

• If someone sounded “just a little bit off” but was still asking for help or money, would you still trust them?

If you nodded “yes” to even one of these, you’re not alone. You’re not helpless either.

Deepfake Defense: What You Can Do Today

These habits can make a big difference:

1. Pause Before You Trust. If you get a surprising video call or audio message, especially one involving urgency or money, verify it through another channel. Text them. Call them back.

2. Double-Check the Details. Deepfakes are getting good, but they’re not flawless. Look for awkward blinking, weird lighting, flat audio, or mismatched lip syncs. It’s not paranoia. It’s observation.

3. Layer Up Your Security. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA). Lock your devices. Don’t reuse passwords. These basics are your first line of defense against any hacker.

4. Mind Your Digital Footprint. Be thoughtful about how much of your voice, face, and personal life you share publicly. Even small bits can be stitched together to mimic you.

5. Talk About It. Whether it’s your team at work, your kids at home, or your group chat full of sarcastic geniuses - have the conversation. The more we all know, the less likely we are to fall for fakes.

Herd Mentality

We’re all better off when we look out for each other. That’s why security awareness isn’t just for IT teams. It belongs in kitchens, classrooms, co-working spaces, and everywhere in between. When skepticism is normalized and curiosity is encouraged, people feel more empowered to ask, “Does this seem right?” instead of panicking or clicking through.

At Herd Security, we believe security starts with small, smart habits. We help individuals and teams build strong, low-drama defense strategies against today’s threats - deepfakes included.

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