Cybersecurity firm Avast, part of Gen Digital, has introduced new artificial intelligence-based protections to detect deepfake scams, as fraud involving manipulated audio and video continues to rise.
The company announced that its updated scam protection suite, now available across commercial antivirus versions, includes a new feature called Avast Deepfake Guard for Windows systems.
AI-powered detection of manipulated media
The new tool analyses audio within video content in real time to identify signs of synthetic voice manipulation commonly used in fraud attempts. According to Avast, the system is designed to proactively warn users when content may have been altered using AI-generated voice technology.
The feature is part of the expanded Avast Scam Guardian and Scam Guardian Pro packages, which aim to help users avoid financial and identity fraud driven by increasingly sophisticated social engineering tactics.
Rising threat from deepfake fraud
Leena Elias, Chief Product Officer at Gen, said deepfakes represent a growing security risk but are ultimately a tool used within broader manipulation schemes. She noted that while AI-generated media itself is not inherently harmful, scammers are using it to create a sense of urgency, impersonate trusted figures, and pressure victims into making quick decisions.
By alerting users to potentially manipulated content, the company hopes to give people time to reassess what they are seeing and make safer choices.
Gen’s research for the fourth quarter of 2025 identified 159,378 unique deepfake scam incidents, involving manipulated media combined with clear fraudulent intent.
Social platforms a major distribution channel
According to the company’s findings, most deepfake scams appear during everyday video viewing rather than through downloads or suspicious attachments. The manipulated content is embedded directly into normal browsing experiences.
The majority of blocked deepfake videos were found on YouTube, followed by Facebook and X.
Security researchers warn that as video consumption continues to grow, fraudsters are adapting their tactics to blend into routine online activity, making detection more difficult for users.
Focus on awareness and prevention
Avast said the new tools are intended to complement user awareness, helping individuals recognise signs of manipulation in an environment where synthetic media is becoming increasingly realistic.
The update reflects a broader shift in cybersecurity toward defending against AI-driven social engineering threats, as deepfake technology moves from novelty to a mainstream tool in online fraud.
