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Night of the Living Deepfakes

The scariest thing this Halloween isn’t in your closet — it’s online.


Once upon a time, fake videos looked fake. Now, thanks to tools like Sora and ChatGPT, fake content has become hauntingly real — so real, even experts hesitate before calling it out.


This special Halloween edition of CyberSmart shines a flashlight on how these AI phantoms are made, the dangers they bring, and how you can protect yourself from getting tricked

The Dark Web of Shadows

AI's abilities are advancing faster than our ability to detect them. The focus now isn’t just on how these tools work, but what people can do with them.

Fake Videos and Deepfakes

Realistic AI videos can show anyone doing or saying anything. These clips can be used to damage reputations, spread misinformation, or stage scams.

Synthetic Voices

AI can mimic a loved one’s voice to ask for money, or a CEO’s tone to approve a fraudulent transaction. Always verify before acting on any “urgent” call.

Fabricated Photos and Profiles

Entire fake identities are crafted from AI-generated images. They’re convincing enough to fool even seasoned investigators.

AI-written Lies

Scammers use chatbots to create polished phishing messages, fake customer support chats, and articles that feel credible, but aren’t.

How to Protect Yourself from the AI Fright Fest

AI fakes thrive in the dark, so shine a light before you click, share, or believe. Tools that detect AI-generated images, videos, and text are improving fast, helping you spot what’s real before it spreads.


🧠 Reality Defender – Detects AI-made videos, images, and websites.

💡 If it feels too perfect to be real, it probably is.


🔍 Hive Moderation – Scans media for AI fingerprints.

💡 Run suspicious visuals through it before reposting or trusting them.


🎙️ Deepware Scanner – Spots deepfake videos and cloned voices.

💡 Fake voices often sound emotionless or too smooth — listen closely.


✍️ GPTZero – Checks if text was written by AI.

💡 Use it on emails or posts that sound oddly generic or formulaic.


🖼️ AI or Not – Tests whether an image was created by AI.

💡 Watch for blurred text, warped hands, or off-kilter eyes — eerie giveaways.


And most importantly: think before you share. Misinformation spreads faster than ghosts on Halloween night.

Beware the Haunted Browsers

New AI-powered web browsers like ChatGPT Atlas promise faster, smarter searches, but they’re not immune to danger. These systems can fall victim to what cybersecurity experts call prompt injection attacks: hidden instructions inside a webpage or data source that trick the AI into revealing private info, running unsafe code, or sharing malicious links.


A simple search can be manipulated. Until strong protections exist, avoid entering personal or financial details into any AI web browsers.


It’s like visiting a haunted house — you don’t know what’s hiding behind each corner.

Need Help? Contact Us!

Seen a scam like this—or something similar? Let us know!

Your story could protect someone else. 

Visit us at your local branch or call (951) 766-4100 to speak with our team.

Stay safe, Stay CyberSmart

hcnbank.com/cybersmart • (951) 766-4100

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