Global cybersecurity company Kaspersky is warning Filipinos about the growing threat of deepfake technology as calls mount for stronger legislation to address this emerging cyber-enabled abuse.
Sam Yan, Head of Sales for Asia Emerging Countries at Kaspersky emphasized that deepfakes are no longer just a novelty but part of a broader cyber risk ecosystem, and that what was once seen as experimental technology used for entertainment has now evolved into a powerful tool for deception in the hands of cybercriminals.
“They exploit trust, spread rapidly through digital platforms, and can harm both individuals and businesses. As the technology becomes more accessible, awareness, vigilance, and protection are more critical than ever,” he added.
The Philippines’ the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) has recently raised alarm over the proliferation of deepfakes, particularly AI-generated pornographic content. The call came after a popular Filipino actress testified in the Senate about being a victim of such scheme.
The CICC claimed that many of these manipulated videos circulating locally are created abroad, often by organized criminal groups linked to scams and illegal gambling.
Heng Lee, Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy for Asia Pacific at Kaspersky, said the rise of deepfakes demands a holistic response from society.
According to him, education and awareness are paramount, to empower users to understand the danger of deepfakes and identify tell-tale signs of its deployment Companies should also work towards the development of robust detection technologies capable of identifying deepfakes with precision.
“Reputable studies have demonstrated that only one in four people can distinguish between deepfake and legitimate videos, even though many say they are confident of doing so. This is a sobering reminder that anyone could possibly become a victim of deepfakes. Stronger legislation and better detection technologies will help ameliorate the deepfake crisis, but our best defense against the threat will still be individuals raising their guard against it,” he further said.
For Individual Users
- Be skeptical of viral content and always check if videos or images come from credible news outlets or verified accounts, using reverse image or video search tools to help spot manipulated content.
- Protect your online identity by avoiding oversharing personal photos, videos, and voice recordings on public platforms, since these can be used to generate convincing deepfakes.
- Strengthen your accounts by enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) and using strong, unique passwords to reduce the risk of unauthorized access and impersonation.
- Avoid clicking on suspicious links from messages, emails, or pop-ups, and always verify the legitimacy of websites before entering login details or payment information.
- Report suspected deepfakes immediately by flagging them on the platform, and if they involve harassment or abuse, escalate them to authorities such as the CICC.
- Install a reliable security solution that can detect and block malware, phishing attempts, and malicious links often used to spread manipulated content.
- Stay educated and aware by learning how to spot manipulated media, exercising caution when consuming or sharing content, and supporting the use of detection technologies that can identify deepfakes with precision.
For Businesses
- Verify communications by training employees to confirm instructions, especially those involving money transfers, through multiple channels.
- Ensure all systems and software are updated regularly, particularly applying critical security patches as soon as they become available.
- Equip staff with the knowledge to recognize phishing attempts, understand deepfake risks, and follow safe digital practices to secure their accounts and devices.
- Monitor brand reputation by regularly scanning online platforms for fake content or impersonations that may damage the company’s credibility.
- Use layered defenses by deploying endpoint protection, robust monitoring tools, and advanced detection systems to identify suspicious activity and block malicious campaigns.
- Enforce strict access controls for employees handling financial transactions or sensitive data, implementing “default deny” policies and segmenting networks to limit exposure in case of compromise.
- Subscribe to trusted threat intelligence services to stay informed about the latest malware variants, attack vectors, and cybercriminal strategies targeting your industry or region.
- Collaborate closely with industry peers, researchers, and regulators to share intelligence and report emerging threats, ensuring that organizations stay one step ahead of those who weaponize deepfakes.
