“Is Your Zoom Buddy Real? Meet the Deepfake Detector That Says ‘No Flurping Around!'”

During last year’s RSAC Conference, I had the chance to explore McAfee’s deepfake detection technology, which analyzes videos and provides a likelihood percentage that a video is fake. The demonstration was run on a high-performance Intel PC, making it impractical to use in everyday situations. Currently, this technology demands an Intel Core Ultra 200V series processor, meaning that if you haven’t updated your Intel laptop in the last six months, you’re likely out of luck.

This year, Sandy Kronenberg, CEO of Netarx—an AI-focused company—introduced me to the Flurp, a user-friendly deepfake detector that works with voice, video, and email communications. While it can integrate into enterprise-level security systems, it’s also accessible for individual users.

What Is the Flurp?

I was curious about the name Flurp and asked Kronenberg for its origin. “I began my career in IT services 28 years ago, and our logo was purple,” he shared. “Someone remarked that it resembled a purple flurp drink from the cartoon Jimmy Neutron.” He highlighted that it’s a catchy, consumer-friendly name that’s easy to remember.

The Flurp is available as an app for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, as well as a simple browser extension. A color-coded icon—green, yellow, or red—indicates the level of trust for current communications. Businesses pay $5 per user each month for a corporate-wide setup, but individuals can access it for free by registering on Netarx’s site.

“Larger organizations have a back door into individuals’ private and personal communications,” Kronenberg noted. “We’ve designed it so that it can be used for both corporate and personal messages.”

We all participate in security awareness training, but it can often inhibit productivity.

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Kronenberg mentioned that a more advanced service is available for companies needing post-quantum encryption or wishing to use a preferred blockchain. This service costs $10 per month, along with an initial customization fee by Netarx.

Why Do We Need the Flurp?

The idea for Flurp originated during a client meeting when the client received a phone call that left him visibly distressed—his company had just suffered massive losses due to a social media attack.

“Sure, we all participate in security awareness training,” he added, “But it sometimes just makes people fearful instead of productive.” With the Flurp showing green, you can confidently proceed with an email. If it turns yellow or red, you know to be cautious.

It’s true that security training won’t transform employees into experts. If a budget-friendly AI tool can help alleviate some of the stress, that’s definitely a win. If this piques your interest, consider trying it out for yourself or for family members who may not be tech-savvy, and enjoy some peace of mind.

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About Neil J. Rubenking

Lead Analyst for Security

In the early days of the IBM PC, I was the president of the San Francisco PC User Group for three years, where I connected with the editorial team of PCMag. They invited me to join in 1986. Since then, I’ve become the go-to expert on security, privacy, and identity protection for PCMag, rigorously testing antivirus tools and various security programs.

Prior to my current role in security, I provided PCMag’s audience with practical advice on using popular software, operating systems, and programming languages through my “User to User” and “Ask Neil” columns, which ran from 1990 for nearly two decades. I authored over 40 articles on utilities, along with titles like Delphi Programming for Dummies and six other books covering DOS, Windows, and programming. My reviews spanned countless products, from early Sierra Online games to AOL’s predecessor, Q-Link.

In the early 2000s, I shifted my attention to security and the evolving antivirus market. After years of working with antivirus solutions, I’m recognized as an authority in evaluating these tools. I also sit on the advisory board for the Anti-Malware Testing Standards Organization (AMTSO), a global nonprofit aimed at enhancing anti-malware testing practices.

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