Singapore Survey Reveals Cybersecurity Awareness Gap on Deepfakes

A recent survey in Singapore revealed a concerning gap between perceived and actual ability to identify deepfake videos. While a significant 78 percent of residents expressed confidence in their ability to distinguish between deepfakes and legitimate videos, only one in four could correctly do so when tested.

The Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) conducted the nationwide survey, polling 1,050 individuals aged 15 and older. The findings indicated that approximately six in ten respondents were aware of deepfakes, and over a quarter had encountered deepfake scams. The CSA highlighted the increasing presence of deepfakes in the digital environment and the potential for their misuse in fraudulent activities.

The survey also assessed other cybersecurity concerns. Over half of the respondents believed their devices were vulnerable to viruses or malware, a slight decrease from the previous survey in 2022. Furthermore, about three in ten participants reported experiencing at least one cyber incident.

Positive developments were observed in phishing awareness. Eighty percent of respondents demonstrated an understanding of phishing, an increase from 72 percent in the 2022 survey.

In response to the survey findings, the CSA plans to launch its sixth National Cybersecurity Campaign in September. The campaign will focus on promoting essential cybersecurity practices, such as installing security applications and regularly updating software.