#FactCheck - Stunning 'Mount Kailash' Video Exposed as AI-Generated Illusion!
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
A viral video is surfacing claiming to capture an aerial view of Mount Kailash that has breathtaking scenery apparently providing a rare real-life shot of Tibet's sacred mountain. Its authenticity was investigated, and authenticity versus digitally manipulative features were analyzed.
CLAIMS:
The viral video claims to reveal the real aerial shot of Mount Kailash, as if exposing us to the natural beauty of such a hallowed mountain. The video was circulated widely in social media, with users crediting it to be the actual footage of Mount Kailash.
FACTS:
The viral video that was circulated through social media was not real footage of Mount Kailash. The reverse image search revealed that it is an AI-generated video created by Sonam and Namgyal, two Tibet based graphic artists on Midjourney. The advanced digital techniques used helped to provide a realistic lifelike scene in the video.
No media or geographical source has reported or published the video as authentic footage of Mount Kailash. Besides, several visual aspects, including lighting and environmental features, indicate that it is computer-generated.
For further verification, we used Hive Moderation, a deep fake detection tool to conclude whether the video is AI-Generated or Real. It was found to be AI generated.
CONCLUSION:
The viral video claiming to show an aerial view of Mount Kailash is an AI-manipulated creation, not authentic footage of the sacred mountain. This incident highlights the growing influence of AI and CGI in creating realistic but misleading content, emphasizing the need for viewers to verify such visuals through trusted sources before sharing.
- Claim: Digitally Morphed Video of Mt. Kailash, Showcasing Stunning White Clouds
- Claimed On: X (Formerly Known As Twitter), Instagram
- Fact Check: AI-Generated (Checked using Hive Moderation).
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Introduction
The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team, CERT-In, is the national statutory agency that responds to Cybersecurity Incidents under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) of the Government of India. CERT-In and Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC) have joined hands to develop a focused pool of Cybersecurity Leaders through the National Cyber Security Scholar Program (NCSSP). This National Cyber Security Scholar Program is to create a pool of credible and ethical cybersecurity leaders in the country who prioritise national cyber security in their professional endeavours. This program allows both organisations to jointly issue joint certifications for Cohort 6 of the National Cyber Security Scholar Program (NCSSP). This certification is provided to cybersecurity professionals who complete one of the world’s leading cybersecurity management programs.
About the Program
The National Cybersecurity Scholar (NCSS) is a comprehensive 18-week, 160-hour Instructor-led program for emerging cybersecurity leaders. The ISAC will conduct the program with CERT-IN and KDEM as knowledge partners. This Cyber Security Scholar program aims to provide an extraordinary opportunity, for scholars, to gain hands-on experience in real-world scenarios through activities such as war games. It will allow scholars to acquaint themselves with roles such as that of stakeholders, including attackers, Security Operations Centre (SOC) teams, Forensicators, Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), and CEOs, and engage in tabletop exercises that simulate a cyber crisis. This program would allow scholars to understand how responses to cyber crises impact the financial performance of an organisation, including, stock prices and sales. It offers a treasure trove of insights into the economic impact of cybersecurity decisions and the importance of proactive risk management.
The program invites applications from various scholars including Mid to senior-level leaders, diplomats and diplomatic corps officers, mid to senior-level government officials involved in homeland and cybersecurity operations, experienced executives from Managed Security Services Providers (MSSPs), faculty members who specialise in new and emerging technologies, cybersecurity professionals in CII sectors and post-doctoral or research scholars in cybersecurity.
CyberPeace Outlook
The National Cyber Security Scholar Program subsumes several key dimensions working towards building a resilient cybersecurity ecosystem for India.
- The program focuses on skill development and enhancing scholars’ knowledge in domains of network security, ethical hacking, cyber forensics, incident response, malware analysis, and threat intelligence.
- The partnership between CERT-In and ISAC, government and Industry entities, ensures that scholars are exposed to different policy-level frameworks and technical expertise, offering a unique blend of perspectives that cater to the country's national security goals and industry best practices.
- The scholar program encourages the development of new methodologies, tools, and frameworks that could be instrumental in tackling future cyber challenges and advancing India's position as a global leader in cybersecurity research and development. Research and innovation in cybersecurity are critical to the program.
- It plays a significant role in providing opportunities for career development by further providing networking platforms with professionals, researchers, and thought leaders in the cybersecurity field, giving them exposure to internships, job placements, and further academic pursuits.
This program aims to support upskilling India’s broader cyber defence strategy through the creation of highly skilled professionals. The scholars are expected to contribute actively to national cybersecurity efforts, whether through roles in government, private sector, or academia, helping to create a more secure and resilient cyberspace. The National Cyber Security Scholar Program is a major advancement in strengthening cybersecurity resilience in India. In a digital world where cyber threats crossing boundaries, such programs are essential for maintaining our national security and economic stability.
References
- https://theprint.in/ani-press-releases/cert-in-and-isac-collaborate-to-develop-focussed-pool-of-cybersecurity-leaders-through-the-national-cyber-security-scholar-program-ncssp/2318021/
- https://isacfoundation.org/national-cyber-security-scholar/
- https://cyberversefoundation.org/national-cyber-security-scholar/
Introduction
A famous quote, “Half knowledge is always dangerous”, but “Too much knowledge of anything can lead to destruction”. Recently very infamous spyware and malware named WyrmSpy and Dragon Egg were invented by a Chinese group of hackers APT41. The APT41 is a state-endorsed Clandstein active group based in the People’s Republic of China that has been active since 2012. In contrast to numerous countries-government supported, APT has a footprint record jeopardising both government organisations for clandestine activities as well as different private organisations or enterprises for their financial gain. APT41 group aims at Android devices through spyware wyrmspy and dragon egg, which masquerades as a legitimate application. According to the U.S. jury legal accusation from 2019 to 2020, the group was entangled in threatening over more than 100 public and private individuals and organisations in the United States and around the world.Moreover, a detailed analysis report was shared by the Lookout Threat Researchers, that has been actively monitoring and tracking both spyware and malware.
Briefing about how spyware attacks on Android devices take place
To begin with, this malware imitates a real source Android application to show some sort of notification. Once it is successfully installed on the user’s machine, proclaims multiple device’s permission to enable data filtration.
Wyrmspy complies with log files, photos, device locations, SMS(read and write), and audio recordings. It has also authenticated that there are no detection malware activities found on google play even after running multiple security levels. These malicious things are made with the intent to obtain rooting access privileges to the device and monitor activities to the specified commands received from the C2 servers.
Similarly, Dragon Egg can collect data files, contacts, locations, and audio recordings, and it also accesses camera photos once it successfully trade-off the device. Dragon egg receives a payload that is also known as “smallmload.jar”, which is either from APK(Android Packet Kit).
WyrmSpy initially masquerades as a default operation system application, and Dragon Egg simulates a third-party keyboard/ messaging application.
Overview of APT41 Chinese group background
APT41 is a Chinese-based stealth activity-carrying group that is said to be active since mid-2006. Rumours about APT41 that it was also a part of the 2nd Bureau of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Staff Department’s (GSD) 3rd Department. Owning to that fact, 2006 has seen 140+ organisations’ security getting compromised, ranging from 20 strategically crucial companies.APT is also recognised for rationally plundering hundreds of terabytes of data from at least 141 organisations between 2006 and 2013. It typically begins with spear-phishing emails to the targeted victims. These sent emails contain official templates along with language pretending to be from a legitimate real source, carrying a malicious attachment. As the victim opens the attached file, the backdoor bestows the control of the targeted machine to the APT groups machine. Once there is an unauthorised gain of access, the attacker visits and revisits the victim’s machine. The group remains dormant for lengthy durations, more likely for months or even for years.
Advisory points need to adhere to while using Android devices
- The security patch update is necessary at least once a week
- Clearing up unwanted junk files.
- Cache files of every frequently used application need to clear out.
- Install only required applications from
Google play store. - Download only necessary APK files only it comes from trusted resources.
- Before giving device permission, it is advisable to run your files or URLs on VirusTotal.com this website will give a good closure to the malicious intent.
- Install good antivirus software.
- Individuals need to check the source of the email before opening an attachment to it.
- Never collect or add any randomly found device to your system
- Moreover, the user needs to keep track of their device activity. Rather than using devices just for entertainment purposes, it is more important to look for data protection on that device.
Conclusion
Network Crack Program Hacker Group (NCPH), which grew as an APT41 group with malicious intent, earlier performed the role of grey hat hacker, this group somehow grew up greedy to enhance more money laundering by hacking networks, devices, etc. As this group conducts a supply chain of attacks to gain unauthorised access to the network throughout the world, targeting hundreds of companies, including an extensive selection of industries such as social media, telecommunications, government, defence, education, and manufacturing. Last but not least, many more fraud-making groups with malicious intent will be forming and implementing in the future. It is on individuals and organisations to secure themselves but practise basic security levels to safeguard themselves against such threats and attacks.
Executive Summary:
A viral online video claims Billionaire and Founder of Tesla & SpaceX Elon Musk of promoting Cryptocurrency. The CyberPeace Research Team has confirmed that the video is a deepfake, created using AI technology to manipulate Elon’s facial expressions and voice through the use of relevant, reputed and well verified AI tools and applications to arrive at the above conclusion for the same. The original footage had no connections to any cryptocurrency, BTC or ETH apportion to the ardent followers of crypto-trading. The claim that Mr. Musk endorses the same and is therefore concluded to be false and misleading.
Claims:
A viral video falsely claims that Billionaire and founder of Tesla Elon Musk is endorsing a Crypto giveaway project for the crypto enthusiasts which are also his followers by consigning a portion of his valuable Bitcoin and Ethereum stock.
Fact Check:
Upon receiving the viral posts, we conducted a Google Lens search on the keyframes of the video. The search led us to various legitimate sources featuring Mr. Elon Musk but none of them included any promotion of any cryptocurrency giveaway. The viral video exhibited signs of digital manipulation, prompting a deeper investigation.
We used AI detection tools, such as TrueMedia.org, to analyze the video. The analysis confirmed with 99.0% confidence that the video was a deepfake. The tools identified "substantial evidence of manipulation," particularly in the facial movements and voice, which were found to be artificially generated.
Additionally, an extensive review of official statements and interviews with Mr. Musk revealed no mention of any such giveaway. No credible reports were found linking Elon Musk to this promotion, further confirming the video’s inauthenticity.
Conclusion:
The viral video claiming that Elon Musk promotes a crypto giveaway is a deep fake. The research using various tools such as Google Lens, AI detection tool confirms that the video is manipulated using AI technology. Additionally, there is no information in any official sources. Thus, the CyberPeace Research Team confirms that the video was manipulated using AI technology, making the claim false and misleading.
- Claim: Elon Musk conducting giving away Cryptocurrency viral on social media.
- Claimed on: X(Formerly Twitter)
- Fact Check: False & Misleading
