Technology
The 10 telltale signs of AI-created images

It’s becoming more common for images to be made with AI tools.
As the artificial intelligence generation gets more advanced, it’s getting trickier to tell the difference between AI-made and human-made images. However, there are still signs to look out for.
Here are some key indicators that an image was created by AI.
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Example of an AI-created image (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
1. Detail problems
When it comes to photos of people, AI still has trouble mastering fine details like faces, textures and hands. Keep an eye out for inconsistencies such as extra fingers, strange skin tones or too many teeth.
2. Glossy or fake-looking textures
AI can’t always get textures right, so images may look too smooth or shiny. This shows up a lot in things like skin (which might look unnaturally poreless) or in nature scenes where trees or grass look kind of plasticky. If everything looks just a little too perfect, it’s probably AI.
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3. Lighting and shadow issues
One of the easiest ways to spot AI is by looking at how lighting and shadows work. You might see shadows in odd places, or the lighting could look flat or inconsistent.
4. Background irregularities
AI struggles with depth and perspective, so check the background for anything that seems off. For instance, you might see blurry objects or a distorted skyline. Sometimes, the background won’t even correctly match the image subject.
5. Messed-up words
If there are words in the image, they might look jumbled, misspelled or nonsensical. This is because AI has a tough time making legible text, especially in more complex images.
6. Hidden biases
AI learns from existing data, which can have a lot of built-in biases. As a result, AI images can showcase forms of discrimination. For example, most AI images of prestigious jobs will automatically feature White males.

Example of an AI-created image (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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7. Unrealistic elements
Sometimes, AI images will incorporate things that simply don’t make sense. This might include animals in bizarre colors, impossible gadgets and other truly unbelievable settings. If you’re questioning whether something is real, there’s a good chance it isn’t.
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Example of an AI-created image (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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8. Watermarks
Some generative AI tools automatically add a watermark to the image. This will either be included in the lower corner of an image or be embedded in the background.
9. Missing metadata
While you might not be able to see it right away, AI images usually lack metadata. This is the information that’s attached to an image file, such as photo resolution or copyright details.
To view image metadata in Windows:
- Right-click the image file and select Properties
- Click the Details tab in the window
To find it on a Mac:
- Right-click the image file
- Select Get Info
On real photos, metadata will be displayed. This information is missing when a photo is generated by AI.
10. Reverse image search
For the more deceptive photos, try doing a reverse image search to track down where one came from. If it’s all over social media but not on trusted sites, be wary.
Think you can spot the fake? Put your skills to the test with my “Find the Fake” games here.
Kurt’s key takeaways
AI-generated images are becoming increasingly popular. While the technology may be useful in certain situations, it can also bring up big concerns around trust and security. That’s why it’s crucial to know how to spot AI images to help stop misinformation and protect brand credibility.
What other types of AI content would you like help identifying? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.
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Technology
A pirated iOS port of Blue Prince is climbing the App Store charts

Apple’s App Store review has yet again let at least one unofficial mobile port of a hot new game show up on the store – this time, it’s Blue Prince.
In a joint post on Monday, Blue Prince’s developer, Dogubomb, and its publisher, Raw Fury, said that they have “received reports of games claiming to be Blue Prince on iOS.” Currently, the game is only available on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation.
I easily found one iOS copy of the game just by searching Blue Prince on the App Store – it was the first search result. The icon looks like it would be the icon for a hypothetical mobile version of the game, the listing has screenshots that look like they’re indeed from Blue Prince, and the description for the game matches the description on Steam.
But on the iOS clone’s listing, the game’s seller is listed as “Samet Altinay,” and I can’t find any connection between this person and Blue Prince outside of this App Store listing. The copyright is also attributed to “DogBomb,” instead of Dogubomb.
I purchased this unofficial version of Blue Prince, which costs $9.99, and installed it on my iPhone 16 Pro to test it out. In a few minutes of playing, it appears to be a barely-modified version of the actual Blue Prince game, though with a few tweaks to make it better-suited for mobile, like a virtual joystick. I’ve also already run into a major bug: when I tried to walk through one of the doors from the Entrance Hall, I fell through the floor.
Apple didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment. According to the listing, this unofficial mobile port is the #8 paid app in the Entertainment category on iOS. But so far, it only has one three-star review, with the writer saying they also hit a bug that caused them to fall through the floor.
Dogubomb and Raw Fury have not officially announced an iOS port of Blue Prince. “We have no news about other platforms at this time, but if that changes we will make an official announcement,” they said in the post. “While we investigate we would kindly ask that you do not purchase or download these apps.”
Apple has previously allowed copycats of games like Wordle and Palworld to appear on the App Store.
Technology
FBI warns of time-traveling hackers

Cybercriminals always find new ways to scam you, whether it’s mimicking a government agency, creating a fake website or delivering malware disguised as a software update. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, they come up with a new trick.
This time, the FBI has issued an alert: Hackers are using a “time-traveling” technique to bypass your device’s security measures. No, we’re not talking about actual time travel (though wouldn’t that be something?). This is a sophisticated cyberattack where hackers manipulate a system’s internal clock to sneak past security defenses.
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A man working on his laptops (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What you need to know
The concept of “time-traveling hackers” refers not to literal time travel but to a sophisticated cyberattack technique where hackers manipulate a system’s internal clock to bypass security measures. This attack is reportedly tied to the Medusa ransomware gang.
In this type of attack, hackers exploit expired security certificates by altering the system date on a targeted device to a time when those certificates were still valid. For example, a security certificate that expired in, say, 2020 could be made usable again if the system’s clock is set back to 2019. This allows malicious software signed with these outdated certificates to be recognized as legitimate by the system, effectively “traveling back in time” from a security perspective.
This technique was notably used in the Medusa ransomware attacks, which targeted critical infrastructure and prompted an FBI cybersecurity advisory (AA25-071A) earlier in 2025. The campaign has affected over 300 critical infrastructure targets. The attackers combined this method with social engineering and exploited unpatched vulnerabilities, amplifying the threat.
The FBI has warned that such attacks pose a significant risk, as they can disable modern security protections like Windows Defender by tricking the system into accepting outdated drivers or software.

A woman working on her laptop and scrolling on her phone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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What does the FBI recommend?
Traditional search and rescue tools, like rigid robots and specialized cameras, often struggle in disaster zones. Cameras follow only straight paths, forcing teams to cut through debris just to see further in. Rigid robots are vulnerable in tight, unstable spaces and expensive to repair when damaged. And manual probing is slow, exhausting and risks responder safety.

A man working on his laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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5 ways to stay safe from Medusa malware
1) Use strong antivirus software: A strong antivirus isn’t just for catching old-school viruses anymore. It can detect phishing links, block malicious downloads and stop ransomware before it gets a foothold. Since the Medusa gang uses fake updates and social engineering to trick users, having strong antivirus software adds a critical layer of protection against threats you might not see coming. Get my picks of the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.
2) Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): The FBI specifically recommends enabling 2FA across all services, especially for high-value targets like webmail accounts, VPNs and remote access tools. 2FA makes it significantly harder for attackers to break in, even if they’ve managed to steal your username and password through phishing or other tactics.
3) Use strong, unique passwords: Many ransomware groups, including Medusa, rely on reused or weak passwords to gain access. Using a strong password (think long, random and unique to each account) greatly reduces that risk. A password manager can help you generate and store complex passwords so you don’t have to remember them all yourself. Get more details about my best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 here.
4) Monitor for suspicious system time changes: The core of this “time-traveling” attack is clock manipulation: Hackers roll back a device’s clock to a time when expired security certificates were still valid. This allows outdated and potentially malicious software to appear trustworthy. Be alert to unexpected system time changes, and if you’re managing an organization, use tools that flag and log these types of configuration shifts.
5) Keep systems updated and patch known vulnerabilities: The Medusa ransomware campaign has a track record of exploiting unpatched systems. That means old software, outdated drivers and ignored security updates can all become entry points. Regularly installing updates for your OS, applications and drivers is one of the most effective ways to stay protected. Don’t put off those system notifications; they exist for a reason.
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Kurt’s key takeaway
The Medusa attack is a good example of how cybercriminals are shifting tactics. Instead of relying on traditional methods like brute force or obvious exploits, they are targeting the basic logic that systems depend on to function. In this case, it is something as simple as the system clock. This kind of strategy challenges the way we think about security. It is not just about building stronger defenses but also about questioning the default assumptions built into the technology we use every day.
How do you think technology companies can better support individual users in protecting their data and devices? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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Technology
Nike is facing a lawsuit from people who bought its NFTs

A group of people sued Nike this week over its decision to wind down its virtual show project RTFKT last year. The buyers of the digital assets accuse Nike of causing “the rug to be pulled out from under them,” and say they wouldn’t have bought its NFTs if they’d known they were “unregistered securities,” reports Reuters.
Filed in New York’s Eastern District, the proposed class action lawsuit seeks “unspecified damages of more than $5 million for alleged violations of New York, California, Florida and Oregon consumer protection laws.”
Nike tried to jump into the NFT game by buying RTFKT in 2021. But, like Starbucks Odyssey, it never quite worked out and the company abandoned the idea, announcing in December via the RTFKT X account that it planned to “wind down RTFKT operations” by the end of January this year.
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