# Episode: "Avoiding the Phishing Bait: How to Spot Scam Emails"

## Episode Summary

In this episode of Byte Sized Security, host Marc David breaks down how to identify phishing emails. He provides practical tips to recognize scam attempts and protect your personal information from fraudulent emails.

## Key Discussion Points

- Introduction to phishing scams and why they're dangerous

- Identifying typos and grammar mistakes in suspicious emails

- How to verify the sender's email address and domain

- The importance of inspecting links before clicking

- Why urgency and alarming messages are red flags

- How to properly report suspicious emails

- The value of regular security software updates

## Resources Mentioned

- Email security features (spam/phishing reporting tools)

- Security software (mentioned to keep updated)

- [Amazon.com](https://www.amazon.com) (referenced as an example of legitimate domain)

## Takeaway

Always verify email details carefully before taking action, never rush to respond to urgent requests, and maintain vigilance to protect your personal information.

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**Episode Summary:**

Marc David dives into the rapidly evolving world of deepfakes and digital deception, projecting forward to 2025. The episode explores the alarming growth in deepfake use, driven by accessible AI technology and user-friendly tools. Mark discusses the severe consequences for businesses (e.g., fraudulent CEO announcements, financial scams like the Polish bank incident), politics (e.g., election manipulation), and personal lives. The discussion also covers emerging solutions, including AI-powered detection tools like those from MIT's DeepTrace Lab, the role of regulations like GDPR, and practical steps listeners can take, such as using verification software like Truepic. The core message is the importance of vigilance and questioning the authenticity of digital content.

**Key Discussion Points:**

* **The Explosion of Deepfake Use (00:21):**

* A 900% increase in deepfake videos was found by Sensity researchers in 2021.

* The problem is projected to have quadrupled by 2025.

* **Drivers of the Deepfake Surge (00:35):**

* Accessible and user-friendly AI technology.

* Cheaper software accelerating spread.

* **Impact on Businesses (00:48):**

* Potential for CEO deepfakes to announce fraudulent mergers or layoffs.

* Real-world example: A Polish bank lost millions in 2023 due to a deepfake scam involving an urgent fake call to redirect funds.

* **Impact on Politics (01:10):**

* Deepfakes manipulating elections (e.g., doctored videos of candidates).

* Erosion of voter trust.

* **Current Preparedness & Solutions (01:21):**

* We are not yet fully equipped, but solutions are evolving.

* **Detection Tools (01:25):** AI systems learning to recognize deepfakes by detecting minute digital artifacts.

* MIT's DeepTrace Lab: Provides tools analyzing AI generation flaws.

* **Policy and Regulations (01:42):**

* Europe's GDPR now covers AI-generated media.

* The US is considering similar steps.

* **What You Can Do (01:52):**

* Stay informed.

* Report suspicious content.

* Support legislative actions against deepfakes.

* Use available verification tools.

* **Today's Takeaway (02:04):**

* Be vigilant.

* Question authenticity until trust is verifiable.

**Tools & Sites Mentioned:**

* **Sensity:** (Research mentioned from 2021 regarding the 900% increase in deepfake videos). Sensity was an AI threat intelligence company, later acquired. The research highlighted the scale of the problem.

* **MIT DeepTrace Lab:** A research initiative at MIT focusing on detecting deepfakes and manipulated media.

* Website: [https://deeptrace.csail.mit.edu/](https://deeptrace.csail.mit.edu/)

* **GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation):** Europe's privacy and data protection law, now addressing AI-generated media.

* Official Information: [https://gdpr-info.eu/](https://gdpr-info.eu/)

* **Truepic:** A company offering photo and video verification technology.

* Website: [https://truepic.com/](https://truepic.com/)

------

I do hope you enjoyed this episode of the podcast. Here's some helpful resources including any sites that were mentioned in this episode.

--

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Find subscriber links on my site, add to your podcast player, or listen on the web players on my site:

Listen to Byte Sized Security

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If you have questions for the show, feedback or topics you want covered. Please send a...

AI Security and Competition: Unpacking the Debate Around DeepSeek

This episode delves into the controversy surrounding DeepSeek, a Chinese AI considered by some as a national security threat. It questions whether this stance is legitimate or merely a tactic by big tech to stifle competition. The episode highlights multiple security breaches across the AI industry, including OpenAI and Google, arguing that the core issue lies in how AI handles security rather than its origin. The discussion also explores the suspicious uniformity in the anti-DeepSeek narrative, the potential motivations of big AI corporations to maintain monopolies, and the necessity of reading AI privacy policies. Additionally, the episode critiques the U.S. response to AI competition, drawing parallels to historical moments like the Sputnik era, and advocates for stronger AI security regulations and more open-source innovation. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on whether the fear of DeepSeek is justified or manipulated by big tech interests.

00:00 Introduction: The DeepSeek Controversy

00:08 Data Leaks: A Global Issue

00:39 The Suspicious Narrative Against DeepSeek

01:24 Big AI's Fear of Open Source

01:35 Smart AI Usage Tips

02:29 The Real Issue: AI Governance

03:15 The AI Moat Playbook

04:08 Big Tech's Control Over AI

05:49 The Global AI Competition

09:45 Security and Privacy Concerns

17:22 Conclusion: The Future of AI

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I do hope you enjoyed this episode of the podcast. Here's some helpful resources including any sites that were mentioned in this episode.

--

Sites Mentioned in this Episode

• DeepSeek Privacy Policy - The DeekSeek Privacy Policy

--

Find subscriber links on my site, add to your podcast player, or listen on the web players on my site:

Listen to Byte Sized Security

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Support this Podcast with a Tip:

Support Byte Sized Security

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If you have questions for the show, feedback or topics you want covered. Please send a short email to marc@bytesizedsecurity.show with the Subject line of "Byte-Sized Security" so I know it's about the podcast.

Connect with me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bytesizedsecurity