With the election approaching, people need to do more research on themselves about who they want to vote for, because as we saw in the last election, technology and social media have made it easier to sway people in a particular direction.
With the rise of artificial intelligence technology in the form of deepfakes and widespread misinformation campaigns that can manipulate people’s emotions, don’t be fooled.
With the election approaching, you need to be aware of these three cyber threats. Here’s what you need to know and how to stay safe and think for yourself.
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1. Deepfakes and AI-driven misinformation
Deepfakes are not new, but their potential to distort reality makes it extremely difficult to distinguish between real and fake. Not only has deepfake technology itself improved, but increased access to these AI technologies has also made it easier to mass-produce and distribute deepfake video and audio.
Why is this a problem when it comes to elections? Because these ads impersonate public figures and spread false information, potentially confusing voters and causing confusion. Imagine seeing a politician or public figure you respect talking about a topic that really resonates with you, even though everything you’ve already researched about that person may contradict what they’re saying. This has the power to persuade voters who might have otherwise voted differently or weren’t sure who to vote for. The bottom line is that people can be influenced even by things that aren’t real.
What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
Artificial intelligence illustration (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
AI could manipulate voters, interfere with elections, and threaten democracy
2. Social Media Manipulation
One of the reasons deepfakes spread so quickly is social media platforms. Social media platforms have always been a major battleground for misinformation campaigns, making it increasingly difficult to tell which posts are real and which are fake. Bots and AI-generated content can spread misinformation quickly before content checkers on these platforms can remove it. This makes it difficult for users to distinguish real news from fake news, especially when it comes from trusted sources within their networks.
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3. Hacking and Cyber-Attacks
In addition to the above, cyber attacks are becoming much more sophisticated. Politicians, their families and election staff are just as likely to be targeted by cyber attacks as anyone else. Not only will attackers steal sensitive information and release it at a strategically damaging time, but they may also use deep fakes, AI and social media to exploit their victims. Attacks that go undetected for long periods of time could undermine the security and integrity of the electoral process in both the short and long term.
How to know if your computer has been hacked – what to do next
Hacker illustration (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
Tips for protecting yourself against cyber threats during election season
Overall, voters have a lot to be aware of this voting season in addition to the things they already need to be vigilant about in general. These threats have the power to not only deceive you in the context of an election, but also in general. Therefore, implementing these best practices for cybersecurity will help keep you safe overall.
1. Check the source
Use trusted news sources: Please rely on trusted news sources for election information.
Cross-check the facts: Verify news articles by checking multiple sources.
Be skeptical of sensationalized content: If something seems overly provocative or shocking, it may be designed to manipulate your emotions.
Do not give out personal information over the phone: Phone spoofing Scam calls are common during election season, including calls from people pretending to be from your local politician’s office (and showing this on their caller ID), but they may just be scammers. Don’t give out any personal information.
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“I Voted” Sticker (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
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2. Protect your online accounts
Enable 2FA: Two-factor authentication Add an extra layer of security to your account by verifying your identity in multiple ways.
Use a strong, unique password. Don’t reuse strong passwords across multiple sites. Password Manager Generate and store complex passwords.
Monitor your account activity: Check regularly for any unauthorized activity.
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3. Recognize and report deepfakes
Look for contradictions: Look out for unnatural facial movements and audio that doesn’t match the video.
Use the validation tool: Tools such as Reverse Image Search It helps to verify the authenticity of images and videos.
Report suspicious content: Alert the platform’s moderators or use the reporting features on social media.
4. Protect your devices
Keep your software up to date: For all your devices Latest Security Updates.
Avoid public Wi-Fi: Public Wi-Fi Although the networks are convenient, they are notoriously insecure. Hackers can easily intercept data sent over these networks, putting your personal information at risk. Whenever possible, you should not access sensitive accounts or send private data while connected to public Wi-Fi.
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Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN): If you need to access sensitive information on a public network, we recommend and consider using a VPN to protect you from tracking and to identify your potential location on websites you visit. Many sites can read your IP address and, depending on your privacy settings, may show you the city you’re communicating from. A VPN disguise your IP address to appear as a different location. For the best VPN software, check out my expert reviews of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your phone. Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.
Do not click on links or attachments you do not trust. It’s that easy Malware Fraudulent links can come from what appear to be legitimate links, so always verify the source and be wary of unexpected requests for sensitive information. Always be cautious of unsolicited requests for personal data, even if they appear to come from known contacts or reputable organizations.
The best way to protect yourself from clicking on malicious links that could install malware that could access your personal information is to install antivirus protection on all your devices, which will also warn you about phishing emails and ransomware scams. We’ve handpicked the winners of the best antivirus protection of 2024 for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.
Important points about the cart
This election season will open a whole new box of worms: cyber threats. If you’re unsure who to vote for or on a particular issue, it’s important to be aware of the threats that exist, from AI deepfakes to the power of social media. Stay calm and always cross-check information wherever possible.
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