Social Media: the Web of Fake News and Scams

Social media has emerged as the most influential tool in modern society, any information is available at our fingertips, but how to test the credibility of any piece of information is the biggest question. this uncertainty about the reliability of the information has given rise to the web of fake news.

A lot of articles we read on various social media platforms appear to be credible, but some of them are fake pieces of information

Fake News is a piece of information, news, and stories deliberately created to mislead readers keeping in mind any pre-planned agenda like political opinions, financial fraud, and religious sentiments

There are many types of fake news and scams

a)Clickbaits and phishing links – Fake links are created by misspelled URLs.Upon clicking the link malware gets downloaded onto the user’s device and it can send the personal information of users to the hackers. These types of links are sent in the name of the lottery's credit and debit card, insurance policies, etc. This type of financial fraud is also done through O.T.P.

b) Manipulated information -Spreading false facts without checking the credibility of information is the newest trend in this world of social media. This is specifically true when facts are spread like wildfire about cures for lifestyle diseases like diabetes weight loss and even deadly diseases like covid pandemic. Another aim to spread this kind of manipulated information is to instigate the socio-religious sentiment of the people.

c)Fake online stores -There are some fake e-commerce sites also. The stores will trick you by offering huge discounts on the purchase of goods and services but once you purchase the item, submit your payment details, if the store is fake your item will never be delivered.

d) Clone Websites -These sites are illegitimate sites of legitimate companies created by hackers They will trick you by warning about the expiration date of some services and requesting you to change your password. Clone websites are created using misspelled web addresses.

How can we stay safe?

* Check the padlock symbol in the address bar.

* Check the credibility of any information on reliable news channels.

* Check misspelled web address

Role of Cyber Security cell

* Cyber security is the practice of defending computers, servers, mobile devices, electronic systems, networks, and data from malicious attacks. It's also known as information technology security or electronic information security.

To protect individuals from the various crimes committed through the internet, the Government of India set up a Cyber Crime Cell in almost all cities of the country. India's first cyber cell was inaugurated in Bengaluru (Karnataka) in 2001 under the information technology act 2000.

* Cyber crime cell provides a platform to file cyber complaints to the victim in the offline mode.

*National Cyber Crime Reporting portal is an online website by the Government of India.

* Visit - https://cybercrime.gov.in

* Click on the REPORT CYBER CRIME tab and follow the procedure

* Cyber Crime helpline number (1930)

*All Social media platforms come under I.T Amendment Act 2008.

Section 43, 66(c) of IT (Amendment) Act 2008, Section 419 of IPC is possible to be used in case of hacking, phishing, spam, and virus-spyware.such information may include bank account numbers, credit card numbers, e-commerce site passwords, etc. Punishment includes Imprisonment of up to three years and/or fines of up to one lakh/5 lakh.

We would like to conclude with a statement by C.J.I. D.Y. Chandrachud "People have less patience and tolerance. In the era of social media, if someone does not agree with your opinion, then they start trolling you.

Due to the speed with which fake news spreads on social media, the truth has become a victim. A lie is sown like a seed in the ground and it turns into a big theory that cannot be weighed on the basis of logic."

In order to save themselves from the web of fake news& scams people need to realize that Everything in this world comes with a price tag so we need to keep our eyes and ears open and extra cautious to survive in this technological world.