#FactCheck-Viral Claim That Modi’s Jhalmuri Vendor Was an SPG Commando Is False

Executive Summary:

This report discloses a new cyber threat contributing to the list of threats targeting internet users in the name of "Aarong Ramadan Gifts". The fraudsters are imitating the popular Bangladeshi brand Aarong, which is known for its Bengali ethnic wear and handicrafts, and allure the victims with the offer of exclusive gifts for Ramadan. The moment when users click on the link, they are taken through a fictitious path of quizzes, gift boxes, and social proof, that simply could damage their personal information and system devices. Through knowing how this is done we can educate users to take caution and stop themselves from falling into cyber threats.

False Claim:

The false message accompanied by a link on social media, claims that Aarong, one of the most respected brands in Bangladesh for their exquisite ethnic wear and handicrafts, is providing Ramadan gifts exclusively through online promotion. And while that may be the facade of the scam, its real aim is to lead users to click on harmful links that may end up in their personal data and devices being compromised.

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The Deceptive Journey:

• The Landing page starts with a salutation and a catchy photo of Aarong store, and later moves ahead encouraging the visitors to take a part of a  short quiz to claim the gift. This is designed for the purpose of creating a false image of authenticity and trustworthiness.
• A certain area at the end of the page looks like a social media comment section, and users are posting the positive impacts the claim has on them. This is one of the techniques to build the image of a solid base of support and many partakers.
• The quiz starts with a few easy questions on how much the user knows about Aarong and their demographics. This data is vital in the development of more complex threats and can be used to address specific targets in the future.
• After the user hits the OK button, the screen displays a matrix of the Gift boxes, and the user then needs to make at least 3 attempts to  attain the reward. This is a commonly used approach which allows the scammer to keep users engaged longer and increases the chances of making them comply with the fraudulent scheme.
• The user is instructed to share the campaign on WhatsApp from this point of the campaign, and the user must keep clicking the WhatsApp button until the progress bar is complete. This is a way to both expand and perpetuate the scam, affecting many more users.
• After completing the steps, the user is shown instructions on how to claim the prize.

The Analysis:

• The home page and quiz are structured to maintain a false impression of genuineness and proficiency, thus allowing the victims to partake in the fraudulent design. The compulsion to forward the message in WhatsApp is the way they inspire more and more users and eventually get into the scam.
• The final purpose of the scam could be to obtain personal data from the user and eventually enter their devices, which could lead to a higher risk of cyber threats, such as identity theft, financial theft, or malware installation.
• We have also cross-checked and as of now there is no well established and credible source or any official notification that has confirmed such an offer advertised by Aarong.
• The campaign is hosted on a third party domain instead of the official Website, this raised suspicion. Also the domain has been registered recently.
• The intercepted request revealed a connection to a China-linked analytical service, Baidu in the backend.

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• Domain Name: apronicon.top
• Registry Domain ID: D20231130G10001G_13716168-top
• Registrar WHOIS Server: whois.west263[.]com
• Registrar URL: www.west263[.]com
• Updated Date: 2024-02-28T07:21:18Z
• Creation Date: 2023-11-30T03:27:17Z  (Recently created)
• Registry Expiry Date: 2024-11-30T03:27:17Z
• Registrar: Chengdu west dimension digital
• Registrant State/Province: Hei Long Jiang
• Registrant Country: CN (China)
• Name Server: amos.ns.cloudflare[.]com
• Name Server: zara.ns.cloudflare[.]com

Note: Cybercriminal used Cloudflare technology to mask the actual IP address of the fraudulent website.

CyberPeace Advisory:

• Do not open those messages received from social platforms in which you think that such messages are suspicious or unsolicited. In the beginning, your own discretion can become your best weapon.
• Falling prey to such scams could compromise your entire system, potentially granting unauthorized access to your microphone, camera, text messages, contacts, pictures, videos, banking applications, and more. Keep your cyber world safe against any attacks.
• Never, in any case, reveal such sensitive data as your login credentials and banking details to entities you haven't validated as reliable ones.
• Before sharing any content or clicking on links within messages, always verify the legitimacy of the source. Protect not only yourself but also those in your digital circle.
• For the sake of the truthfulness of offers and messages, find the official sources and companies directly. Verify the authenticity of alluring offers before taking any action.

Conclusion:

Aarong Ramadan Gift scam is a fraudulent act that takes advantage of the victims' loyalty to a reputable brand. The realization of the mechanism used to make the campaign look real, can actually help us become more conscious and take measures to our community not to be inattentive against cyberthreats. Be aware, check the credibility, and spread awareness to others wherever you can, to contribute in building a security conscious digital space.

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Executive Summary:

Several videos claiming to show bizarre, mutated animals with features such as seal's body and cow's head have gone viral on social media. Upon thorough investigation, these claims were debunked and found to be false. No credible source of such creatures was found and closer examination revealed anomalies typical of AI-generated content, such as unnatural leg movements, unnatural head movements and joined shoes of spectators. AI material detectors confirmed the artificial nature of these videos. Further, digital creators were found posting similar fabricated videos. Thus, these viral videos are conclusively identified as AI-generated and not real depictions of mutated animals.

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Claims:

Viral videos show sea creatures with the head of a cow and the head of a Tiger.

Fact Check:

On receiving several videos of bizarre mutated animals, we searched for credible sources that have been covered in the news but found none. We then thoroughly watched the video and found certain anomalies that are generally seen in AI manipulated images.

Taking a cue from this, we checked all the videos in the AI video detection tool named TrueMedia, The detection tool found the audio of the video to be AI-generated. We divided the video into keyframes, the detection found the depicting image to be AI-generated.

In the same way, we investigated the second video. We analyzed the video and then divided the video into keyframes and analyzed it with an AI-Detection tool named True Media.

It was found to be suspicious and so we analyzed the frame of the video.

The detection tool found it to be AI-generated, so we are certain with the fact that the video is AI manipulated. We analyzed the final third video and found it to be suspicious by the detection tool.

The detection tool found the frame of the video to be A.I. manipulated from which it is certain that the video is A.I. manipulated. Hence, the claim made in all the 3 videos is misleading and fake.

Conclusion:

The viral videos claiming to show mutated animals with features like seal's body and cow's head are AI-generated and not real. A thorough investigation by the CyberPeace Research Team found multiple anomalies in AI-generated content and AI-content detectors confirmed the manipulation of A.I. fabrication. Therefore, the claims made in these videos are false.

• Claim: Viral videos show sea creatures with the head of a cow, the head of a Tiger, head of a bull.
• Claimed on: YouTube
• Fact Check: Fake & Misleading

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Introduction

Microsoft has unveiled its ambitious roadmap for developing a quantum supercomputer with AI features, acknowledging the transformative power of quantum computing in solving complex societal challenges. Quantum computing has the potential to revolutionise AI by enhancing its capabilities and enabling breakthroughs in different fields. Microsoft’s groundbreaking announcement of its plans to develop a quantum supercomputer, its potential applications, and the implications for the future of artificial intelligence (AI). However, there is a need for regulation in the realms of quantum computing and AI and significant policies and considerations associated with these transformative technologies. This technological advancement will help in the successful development and deployment of quantum computing, along with the potential benefits and challenges associated with its implementation.

What isQuantum computing?

Quantum computing is an emerging field of computer science and technology that utilises principles from quantum mechanics to perform complex calculations and solve certain types of problems more efficiently than classical computers. While classical computers store and process information using bits, quantum computers use quantum bits or qubits.

‍Interconnected Future  

Quantum computing promises to significantly expand AI’s capabilities beyond its current limitations. Integrating these two technologies could lead to profound advancements in various sectors, including healthcare, finance, and cybersecurity. Quantum computing and artificial intelligence (AI) are two rapidly evolving fields that have the potential to revolutionise technology and reshape various industries. This section explores the interdependence of quantum computing and AI, highlighting how integrating these two technologies could lead to profound advancements across sectors such as healthcare, finance, and cybersecurity.

1. Enhancing AI Capabilities:

Quantum computing holds the promise of significantly expanding the capabilities of AI systems. Traditional computers, based on classical physics and binary logic, need help solving complex problems due to the exponential growth of computational requirements. Quantum computing, on the other hand, leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to perform computations on quantum bits or qubits, which can exist in multiple states simultaneously. This inherent parallelism and superposition property of qubits could potentially accelerate AI algorithms and enable more efficient processing of vast amounts of data.

1. Solving Complex Problems:

The integration of quantum computing and AI has the potential to tackle complex problems that are currently beyond the reach of classical computing methods. Quantum machine learning algorithms, for example, could leverage quantum superposition and entanglement to analyse and classify large datasets more effectively. This could have significant applications in healthcare, where AI-powered quantum systems could aid in drug discovery, disease diagnosis, and personalised medicine by processing vast amounts of genomic and clinical data.

1. Advancements in Finance and Optimisation:

The financial sector can benefit significantly from integrating quantum computing and AI. Quantum algorithms can be employed to optimise portfolios, improve risk analysis models, and enhance trading strategies. By harnessing the power of quantum machine learning, financial institutions can make more accurate predictions and informed decisions, leading to increased efficiency and reduced risks.

1. Strengthening Cybersecurity:

Quantum computing can also play a pivotal role in bolstering cybersecurity defences. Quantum techniques can be employed to develop new cryptographic protocols that are resistant to quantum attacks. In conjunction with quantum computing, AI can further enhance cybersecurity by analysing massive amounts of network traffic and identifying potential vulnerabilities or anomalies in real time, enabling proactive threat mitigation.

1. Quantum-Inspired AI:

Beyond the direct integration of quantum computing and AI, quantum-inspired algorithms are also being explored. These algorithms, designed to run on classical computers, draw inspiration from quantum principles and can improve performance in specific AI tasks. Quantum-inspired optimisation algorithms, for instance, can help solve complex optimisation problems more efficiently, enabling better resource allocation, supply chain management, and scheduling in various industries.

How Quantum Computing and AI Should be Regulated-

As quantum computing and artificial intelligence (AI) continues to advance, questions arise regarding the need for regulations to govern these technologies. There is debate surrounding the regulation of quantum computing and AI, considering the potential risks, ethical implications, and the balance between innovation and societal protection.

1. Assessing Potential Risks: Quantum computing and AI bring unprecedented capabilities that can significantly impact various aspects of society. However, they also pose potential risks, such as unintended consequences, privacy breaches, and algorithmic biases. Regulation can help identify and mitigate these risks, ensuring these technologies’ responsible development and deployment.
2. Ethical Implications: AI and quantum computing raise ethical concerns related to privacy, bias, accountability, and the impact on human autonomy. For AI, issues such as algorithmic fairness, transparency, and decision-making accountability must be addressed. Quantum computing, with its potential to break current encryption methods, requires regulatory measures to protect sensitive information. Ethical guidelines and regulations can provide a framework to address these concerns and promote responsible innovation.
3. Balancing Innovation and Regulation: Regulating quantum computing and AI involves balancing fostering innovation and protecting society’s interests. Excessive regulation could stifle technological advancements, hinder research, and impede economic growth. On the other hand, a lack of regulation may lead to the proliferation of unsafe or unethical applications. A thoughtful and adaptive regulatory approach is necessary, considering the dynamic nature of these technologies and allowing for iterative improvements based on evolving understanding and risks.
4. International Collaboration: Given the global nature of quantum computing and AI, international collaboration in regulation is essential. Harmonising regulatory frameworks can avoid fragmented approaches, ensure consistency, and facilitate ethical and responsible practices across borders. Collaborative efforts can also address data privacy, security, and cross-border data flow challenges, enabling a more unified and cooperative approach towards regulation.
5. Regulatory Strategies: Regulatory strategies for quantum computing and AI should adopt a multidisciplinary approach involving stakeholders from academia, industry, policymakers, and the public. Key considerations include:

1. Risk-based Approach: Regulations should focus on high-risk applications while allowing low-risk experimentation and development space.
2. Transparency and Explainability: AI systems should be transparent and explainable to enable accountability and address concerns about bias, discrimination, and decision-making processes.
3. Privacy Protection: Regulations should safeguard individual privacy rights, especially in quantum computing, where current encryption methods may be vulnerable.
4. Testing and Certification: Establishing standards for the testing and certification of AI systems can ensure their reliability, safety, and adherence to ethical principles.
5. Continuous Monitoring and Adaptation: Regulatory frameworks should be dynamic, regularly reviewed, and adapted to keep pace with the evolving landscape of quantum computing and AI.

Conclusion:

‍Integrating quantum computing and AI holds immense potential for advancing technology across diverse domains. Quantum computing can enhance the capabilities of AI systems, enabling the solution of complex problems, accelerating data processing, and revolutionising industries such as healthcare, finance, and cybersecurity. As research and development in these fields progress, collaborative efforts among researchers, industry experts, and policymakers will be crucial in harnessing the synergies between quantum computing and AI to drive innovation and shape a transformative future.The regulation of quantum computing and AI is a complex and ongoing discussion. Striking the right balance between fostering innovation, protecting societal interests, and addressing ethical concerns is crucial. A collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to regulation, considering international cooperation, risk assessment, transparency, privacy protection, and continuous monitoring, is necessary to ensure these transformative technologies' responsible development and deployment.