In the old days, it was very easy to separate fact from fiction. Literature was clearly defined, and newspapers published real facts. Media outlets that told exaggerated stories and sensationalist tabloids were widely known, and people read them with caution.
More and more people are seeking their daily dose of news online. While some subscribe to websites to read newspapers and magazines, others like to check out the latest news headlines via WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook, and other social media sites. In our current connected age, fake news spreads widely through social media, and because this type of news is often sensational and easy to understand, it appeals to the masses. People then begin sharing news they believe to be true online or on chat apps, ultimately becoming newsmakers.
El auge de las noticias falsas
Think about it: Is everything you read online true? Not always.
Take, for example, this “news” a friend shared on Valentine’s Day: “Shahid Bhagat Singh was beheaded on this date. Let’s mark this as Remembrance Day.” She genuinely believed this news to be true and thought it wise to share it with others.
Or the following: “UNESCO declares Jana Gana Mana the best national anthem in the world”;
or “A man from New Delhi loses 30 kilos in three weeks thanks to a superfood.”
And surprise! All this “news” is fake.
Fictional stories are written to appear authentic and are intended to either make money by increasing the site’s web traffic or threaten the safety of visitors.
And like any other trend, cybercriminals are always looking to take advantage of the situation. Since fake news can lead us to untrustworthy sources, criminals have an open door to direct unsuspecting users to unsafe websites that could be scams and/or viruses. For example, when you come across a sensational news story, you may subscribe to receive more updates from its source website, which could actually be clickbait (i.e., a trick to get you to click on a link). If you subsequently forward this type of message, you’ll be unwittingly contributing to the problem.
Should you be worried about fake news?
Can you imagine the effect fake news has on teens and preteens, whose opinions are easily influenced? Ideally, this type of cyber education should be taught in high school so young people grow up informed and aware that they need to STOP. THINK. CONNECT. But until this happens, parents must educate them, and to do so, they themselves must be aware of the existence of fake news.
It’s time to learn how to distinguish between fiction and truth, and how to steer clear of false information. Always pay attention to the following warning signs:
Domain name:
The name is a clever imitation of some genuine site, for example, “wikipidi”;
The message contains a link that directs the user to another site that may have viruses;
Tip: Don’t be fooled by the appearance of a fancy site. Always check the official website.
Publication source:
If the source is unknown or anonymous, disregard it;
If a suspicious warning appears at the end of a post, or if it asks you to share the news, do you think it’s actually trustworthy?
Personal blogs reflect the author’s personal opinion, which may not be rational.
Reports and theses with grammatical errors demonstrate that the content was not well researched and may also contain factual errors.
Suggestion: Visit reputable, official websites that follow ethical journalism practices and avoid sensationalism. Check the facts.
Your role as a responsible and digitally literate user is:
Be aware: verify content using known sources and compare it with others.
Be skeptical: If you feel some content is false, check it out and report it. Facebook allows you to do this, as do other platforms.
Don’t be complicit. Check the facts before sharing.
Be careful: Don’t click on links sent via social media before verifying their authenticity.
Be responsible: Educate others when they share fake news and report them.
Finally, always use comprehensive security software on your device to protect your digital life. Fake news often contains cookies and viruses designed to damage your device and steal your information. It’s harder to identify fake links and websites on a mobile device, so you also need to protect your smartphone and tablet. Your security solution will guide you through safe and unsafe websites, helping you always make the right decision. You can also download the free McAfee WebAdvisor tool here.
With practice, you’ll become an expert at distinguishing between truth and falsehood. Always remember the cybersecurity mantra—STOP. THINK. CONNECT—and put it into practice.
Stay protected and Cyber Smart!
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