Facebook Reigns Supreme In Terms Of Providing Users With Fake Information As Per This Study

A new study is shedding light on misinformation spread across social media and which apps are doing a worse job than others to curb the matter.

It’s Facebook that reigns supreme in this regard, where users consume more fake data from this app than all leading social media platforms.

Are we surprised or should we be surprised? Well, we don’t think so because we know that when it was time for the US elections, the among of misinformation across this app was greater than others. And yes, it beat out Twitter too.

The research was published at the start of this month and it found how alarming figures of individuals were consuming fake data about the American elections that arose in 2020. The most concern had to do with votes not achieving proper counts.

They even found out how the biggest factor that made other individuals suspicious had to do with the amount of fake news being taken in and not the actual means by which votes were getting cast.

A lot of the issues arose because such sites had algorithms that were curated to keep people scrolling and staying engaged for so long. Therefore, it’s likely to continue serving the same types of content and ensure it's more difficult to climb out of these disinformation phases once you get into it.

There was even a lot of bias being promoted across the app and it’s shocking, to say the least. The algorithms continue to churn out fake data and if you’re not mindful, it’s like a hole that keeps on sucking Facebook users into it.

But the study also found that those who got the US election news by going to websites directly were less liable to attain fake news. These are the ones that knew the election unfolded in this manner because of the right reasons and not because of fake rumors that stated that votes weren’t counted.

Even though a lot of these speculations failed to have the support of facts, they continued to spread like wildfire on the platform. And it’s not shocking how social media apps like Facebook keep on promoting such behavior.

They have long been dubbed as drivers for disinformation. But the tricky part has to do with measuring how taking in fake news could alter a user’s understanding of the real world.

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by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Experts Warn Against YouTube Emails Serving As Phishing Scams

YouTube is sending out a warning to all of its users regarding a new phishing scam. It may seem like it was generated by the popular video-sharing app but the reality is far from that.

The phishing attack makes use of the company’s real email ID, and that may trick some people into wrongly assuming that it belonged to YouTube. Therefore, the app is really urging them to be more observant before it’s too late.

The news comes after one content creator shared screenshots of the suspicious email that he was getting. It appears to display a new video that has no thumbnail and seems like it’s from YouTube’s team. Furthermore, it covered a series of changes that YouTube has made in its policies.

The app’s advice regarding this news is for users to exercise greater vigilance and not download any such files if they see similar emails that entail links to files on Google Drive.

But it’s quite clear that those that are more careless and less vigilant would seemingly fall into such traps as they would be led astray into believing that they’re legitimate. Do we blame them, no? It’s coming from the company’s legitimate ID so what else can we say.

In the thread, the creator speaks about how this is actually being allowed. And it would not be wrong to call it an abuse of the app. He provided some guidance and that entails disabling such features which continues to drop in popularity in the past.

On the other hand, the app says it’s now letting out a new support article which users can read as it details how to stay safe while navigating against such types of suspicious emails.

Some victims may opt to ignore these types of emails by chance. And that has to do with how least bothered they can be about the app making changes to its terms and conditions. To prevent this, these phishing emails add a new sense of urgency.

So some people might wrongly assume that they’ve got a limited time period to respond before their content is removed or their account is suspended. Hence, they rush to open the links and get trapped.

There is also that fear that perhaps the monetization of the content may be affected too and that is another way by which such malicious behavior is able to win, leaving creators in a vulnerable position.

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by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Experts Issue Alarm Against Telegram While Calling It The Number One Place For Purchasing Phishing Kits

Researchers and tech experts are calling out the popular social media app Telegram as a huge threat to users.

The platform has been designated as the top place to purchase and sell phishing kits, including more details on how to go about the entire phishing ordeal online. So many groups on the app are providing users with the know-how and basics of the alarming ordeal.

The news comes to us thanks to a new cybersecurity report from Kaspersky which says this popular app that many adore due to its instant messaging and encrypted features might not be so safe after all. It also spoke about how it serves as an integral breeding ground for cybercriminals around the globe.

At this moment in time, the study showed how there are many active Telegram groups. So many hackers continue to offer phishing kits, free of cost. These are packed with tools that enable new actors to make pages for phishing activity and even disguise themselves as leading businesses online.

The intricacy and finesse with which all of this is being done are just too alarming as pages continue to be generated automatically by the masses. Also, you’ll see cybercrime activity taking place so commonly with top-of-the-line premium pages filled with customized interfaces. Other than that, other features on offer include URL encryption, systems that work against bots, and geoblocking.

For such endeavors, you can expect to pay as low as $10 or as much as $300 so yes, it’s not too heavy on the pocket either.

But the drama does not end there. We are seeing more and more hackers make use of the app to conduct sales of stolen sensitive items including personal data details bank information and other sensitive private details. They’re also offering OTP bots and phishing service subscriptions too.

The study’s researchers also noted down another interesting finding regarding Ransomware encryptors. They have a kit that encrypts some stolen details that are designated for operators and behave as safeguards to enable creators of ransomware to get a fair share. So as you can imagine, even ransomware operators will be accountable for any data they steal. In case you did not know, phishing is being called out as one of the world’s most famous cybercriminal endeavors today. It is only slightly behind the crime of ransomware and Email Compromise of businesses. And that is in itself like a type of phishing.

Today, a new report is shedding light on how there has been a massive 569% rise in phishing attacks last year when compared to data from the previous year. Moreover, reports even showcased how credential phishing rose by 478% in the past year too. Who knew one of the world’s leading texting platforms people once considered to be a replacement for WhatsApp could be involved in such activity?

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by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Social Media's Alluring Flow: A Mental Health Hazard?

Flow incidents on internet platforms, such as TikTok and Instagram have been connected to mental illness, as per a recent study.

It found that individuals who encountered increased flows while using the internet were more likely to report signs of depression, anxiety, and stress.

Flow is a psychological condition that happens when an individual is completely absorbed in an exercise and loses track of time. It is often associated with positive feelings of enjoyment and fulfillment. However, the study suggests that this social media experience may be connected to adverse mental outcomes.

The investigators analyzed data from one hundred & ninety-five consumers of Instagram & two hundred & twenty-five consumers of TikTok. They were asked about their in-the-zone experiences while using the sites, as well as their various illness symptoms.

The outcomes demonstrated that those who reported encountering max concentration levels while using these platforms also reported boosted chances of mental ailments. The researchers suggest that this may be because deep concentrations on addictive sites can be linked with addictive manners, directing to negative outcomes.

According to the study, nearly a quarter of TikTok consumers and over a quarter of Instagram users would meet the criteria for obsession. The researchers monitored that telepresence, which means the sensation of being present in a virtual world, was the major component most closely related to internet addiction. Additionally, they noted that this element was positively linked with other mental disorders, such as mind range, fear of missing out, pressure, and stress.

It also found that those who reported spending greater span on addictive platforms had boosted levels of mental disorders. This highlights that the total span spent on various sites may also be a contributing factor to adverse outcomes.

The findings have important implications for the design of various addictive online platforms, as well as for individuals who use them. The researchers suggest that social media corporations should consider ways to reduce addictive conduct, such as limiting the amount of time consumers can spend on the platforms or providing tools for consumers to monitor their daily use.

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Individuals can also take steps to reduce the damaging impact on their cognitive health. This includes setting boundaries on the amount of time spent, taking leaves from the platforms, and seeking aid if needed.

Overall, the study highlights the complex association between the use of addictive platforms and cognitive fitness and implies that more research is required to fully understand the influence of these platforms on individuals' well-being.

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by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

The Growing Epidemic of Online Fraud in America

A recent survey has discovered that nearly half of US citizens are targeted daily by imposters. The study highlights the across-the-board nature of online fraud and the need for individuals to be more vigilant about protecting themselves from fraud.

According to the YouGov data, 45% of individuals reported getting at least a single fraud call, email or text every day. It also highlighted that 10% of them are attacked by these fraudulent activities at least once a month. While the weekly & yearly ratios are 24% and 2% respectively.

57 percent consider scam texts, emails, or spam calls a very serious problem.

The rise of online communication and digital platforms has made it easier for crooks to target people, with many using social media, email, and texting platforms to reach their victims. Generally, the most common method used by scammers is hijacking data through phone calls, followed by achieving targets through various texting platforms.

Another study highlighted that the citizens of the US lost around $9 billion in the past year due to these fraudulent activities. Multiple scams such as employment frauds, social media frauds, Zelle frauds, & money-making frauds are used by scammers to achieve their targets.

Attackers use various methods, such as social engineering, fraud identifications, and enticing bids, to deceive their victims. By being knowledgeable of these frauds and exercising caution when interacting online, individuals can protect themselves from falling victim to online fraud.

Back to YouGov report, which was based on 36,435 US adults, the survey also discovered that people want their government to take more action against online scams. According to it, 72% of respondents believe that the state should be doing more to combat these types of fraud.

The study further highlights the frustration and concern felt by many Americans regarding the prevalence of digital fraud and the need for more effort to be taken to address this issue. As the threat of online fraud continues to grow, individuals, businesses, and government agencies need to work together to combat this problem and protect consumers from financial losses and identity theft.

Experts advise individuals to be cautious when receiving these types of messages or calls and to never share personal or financial information with unknown parties. They also recommend using anti-virus software and being careful when clicking on links or downloading resources from unknown platforms.

The survey highlights the need for people to take internet fraud seriously and to be more vigilant about protecting themselves from fraud. With scammers becoming massively sophisticated in their methods, it is more important than ever for individuals to be knowledgeable of the risks and to take steps to protect themselves and their data.

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by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Breaking Out of the Mold: Over Half of the Residents of the UK Seek Effective Life Changes

As per the current investigation, more than half of citizens of the UK feel they need to make important differences in their lives, from their careers to their relationships. The study found that 59% of individuals are looking for a transformation in their lives.

It surveyed two thousand Brits to estimate their sentiments about their current circumstances. It found that 30% of people want to revise their employment. In addition, twelve percent of respondents want to switch their mates and want a new one.

In addition to career and personal changes, respondents also reported wanting to observe adjustments to their physical health and wellness. Moreover, many people want to transform their house, car, hairstyle, place of residency, mates, & even their place of workout.

With these changes, twelve percent of individuals believe that they must shift several great things per week. Transforming the sense of dressing (19%), finding new peers (15%), and banking with people (11%) are the hottest things they need to switch.

Similarly, as desired, most people are not ready for the shift due to two major reasons. Approx 50% of the audience thinks that it would be too costly to make a difference in their lives. The other half were observed afraid of things not getting to the point. So, it suggests that fear of the unknown and a lack of support are the main reasons holding people back from observing the changes they desire.

It's often said that residing in our safe heaven isn't always the soundest thing for us. While it may provide a sense of protection and acquaintance, it can also prevent us from encountering new things and taking the edge of possibilities that could benefit us in the long run. Whether it's a big shift or a small one, embracing something new can help us grow and learn.

This idea extends to all areas of life, including our technologicalchoices. For example, sticking with the same phone model for years may seem like a good choice, but it also means missing out on new components and revisions that could enhance our daily lives. By upgrading to a newer model or trying a different brand, we may find that we enjoy using our phones even more than we thought possible.

Thus, to sum up, further findings suggest that individuals are struggling with emotions of stagnation and a lack of forward momentum in their lives. While making important differences can be scary, it's important to remember that it's never too late to make a change for the better.

H/T: VirginMedia O2

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by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Google will soon allow users to track their lost mobile phones even after they have been turned off

According to a recent report, tech giant Google is currently planning to provide a solution for those who fear losing their smartphones. The updated version of “Find My Device” is aimed at increasing the chances of finding a lost device as soon as possible. Google Pixel users will be able to locate their smartphones even if the device they are using switches off due to low battery.

Based on the information given by a 91Mobiles informant, the updated version might make its debut under the name “Pixel Power-off Finder.” In order to allow the device to be tracked even after it has been switched off, simply keep Bluetooth on and never turn it off. However, the idea is not new, as Apple has already been using the same feature to find lost iPhones.

It is still not confirmed whether new hardware will be added to make the feature work on new devices. Which means that current smartphones won’t be compatible with the feature as they won’t have the supporting hardware. The company has been leaving hints for the feature since 2021.

The idea was pitched two years ago, in June, when it was revealed that Google was planning to make tracking lost smartphones more effective, just like Apple did it for iPhone users. Since the first announcement was made, Google has begun rolling out features indicating what the main objective of the company is.

Google recently rolled out a store location feature that would enable users to share their location with the company. Once the feature has been turned on, the device will automatically share its location after reaching a specified battery percentage. As a result, the user will be able to identify whether the device turned off before it got lost or after.

No official time or date has been released by the company that would highlight when the feature will be made available. Similarly, questions regarding the compatibility of current devices with the upcoming feature are yet to be answered by Google.

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by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World