The Dangers of False Social Media Accounts – Source:davinciforensics.co.za

Stalking, Bullying, Spread of Misinformation

Social media platforms have become the “go to” place for too many seeking information.
While platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) are fertile
grounds for the spread of misinformation, they are also ripe for the creation of fake accounts
with even more nefarious intentions. Threat actors make use of bots to do everything from
staking and bullying to spreading conspiracy theories and propaganda. The dangers reach
beyond just trying to separate fact from fiction and can actually harm people’s lives.

Misinformation

The rapid speed with which misinformation and disinformation can spread is mind boggling.
Conspiracy theories can influence audiences, as well as public opinion, attitudes and
behaviours. Although mainstream media makes attempts to offer fact checking and
clarification, social media not only overwhelms those newsfeeds, but leads to mistrust in the
general media that has legitimate news information. The dangers of false social media accounts stalking, bullying, spread of misinformation can lead to serious consequences.

Fake profiles on the various social media platforms can be created as bots, attacking specific groups, topics, or political parties, and can not only stalk individuals, but bully them. It would not be uncommon for a fake profile bot to attack an individual that made a comment on a post and then continue to stalk, posting personal information and images of that person. Bots typically show up making the same repetitive copy-and-paste style hateful comments, no matter what the age of the person they are attacking. They will spread misinformation over and over again, inundating a post so that the average person that may have wanted to comment, simply won’t.

Fact-checking is a priority key that needs to be stressed to all social media users. Before sharing or commenting on posts that may sound questionable, fact check to ensure that they will not be party to sharing misinformation. Recognising that the bots and false profiles are designed to encourage users to participate in negative conversations is important. Bots are there to get users to comment and the more interchange that occurs, the more the originators will get paid. They often resort to stalking and hate-speech tactics to achieve these goals.

There is a variety of psychological reasons why people will create fake profiles. The internet is an easy way for some to exert their inner anger while not being required to be face-to-face with those that they attack. It can be a way for those that feel powerless in their real lives to have a send of power over others. The dangers involved in any interaction with these individuals is that it feeds their fantasy and enables the negativity and they can act without restraint.

Although social media platforms are being requested to take more responsibility for profile verification, the sheer volume of fake profiles and bots makes this a continued challenge. The average user needs to recognise that these bots are “out there” with goals designed to overwhelm, overtake, and stalk them. Reporting to the social media platform is one action, but it doesn’t mean that any action will be taken against them. The dangers of false social media accounts stalking, bullying, spread of misinformation is becoming an “epidemic”.

Sharon Knowles, CEO DaVinci Cybersecurity

Source:

lib.taftcollege.edu/FakeNews/SocialMedia

federallawyers.com/fake-social-media-profiles-and-false-statements-think-before-you-post/

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