What is fake news?
In a hyper-connected world, where information reaches us in real time through multiple digital media (social networks, blogs, forums, instant messaging, email, digital media...), internet hoaxes or fake news take on special relevance, reaching a large audience in a relatively short time and can cause serious damage or harm to individuals and organisations.
What is it?
It is false information, created on purpose and in such a way that it is perceived as true, in order to be disseminated massively through written, audiovisual and digital media through the Internet, as well as social networks, e-mail or instant messaging.
¿What is the intention of internet hoaxes?
Behind each hoax there are different motivations, from spreading false information to the detriment of third parties or organisations to something as simple as inciting the receiver of the message to cause damage to their own computer.
How to identify fake news
- It is usually news or information that is not signed by the author.
- Neither the references nor the sources of the data are cited.
- The date of publication is usually not given to ensure that they stay in circulation for as long as possible.
- They contain information and news with an important emotional component to attract people's attention, such as morbidity, fear, something that is in fashion, etc.
- They are written in an international standard language regardless of the language in which they are written and often encourage forwarding for the common good in order to help them spread.
It is the responsibility of a well-informed society not to contribute to the spreading of fake news by ensuring as far as possible that information comes from reliable sources and by cross-checking it with various sources.
You might be interested in
Keep your passwords safe
Protect your information and your equipment
Protect your information and your equipment
Santander App: your bank open 24/7