Have you ever seen an article with a dramatic title, but the article content was completely unrelated? This is called “clickbait” and it is a common example of how cybercriminals take advantage of large-scale media platforms to distribute disinformation campaigns that confuse and mislead audiences.
Let’s take a look at different types of disinformation campaigns to look out for:
- Fabricated Content: Content that is completely untrue.
- Manipulated Content: Content, imagery, or videos that have been edited or distorted.
- Imposter Content: Content that pretends to be from a reliable source.
- Misleading Content: Content that presents information in a misleading way.
- False Context by Connection: Content that contains both facts and untrue information.
- Satire and Parody: Humorous stories that exaggerate facts and may be used to fool readers.
Now, let's look at some methods you can use to combat disinformation.
- Consider the Source
Always consider the reliability of the source and author of the content you are viewing. Ask yourself: What is this author or source known for? Where was the information retrieved from? Credible news sources typically cite where their information came from and their cited sources are credible as well.
- Fact-Check and Educate
Stay informed about current events by following local news, government websites, and other trusted sources. Also be sure to check more than one source when researching, to ensure you’re getting the full story from different perspectives. You can also use a trusted third-party fact-verifying site to check the validity of the content that you find.