With the big US election coming up, I thought this would be a good time to remind everyone about how to gird yourself against mis- and disinformation. (FYI, the title and image are references to the old TV show X-Files, which is meant to be tongue in cheek.)
Defining Terms
Misinformation is just false or inaccurate information that spreads – sometimes people don’t even realize it’s wrong. Disinformation, though, is when someone is intentionally spreading false info to mislead or manipulate you. Knowing the difference is key to figuring out how to deal with it when you come across it.
Take the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance. You might remember seeing posts about how drinking hot water could kill the virus. That’s misinformation – wrong, but probably well-meaning. On the other hand, the idea that Bill Gates was using the pandemic as an opportunity to implant microchips in people through the COVID-19 vaccines is disinformation. Disinformation is meant to deceive.
At the Speed of Virality
But at the end of the day, they can both be dangerous. As the saying goes, a lie can travel halfway around the world before the truth can get its boots on. And even though the provenance of this quote is contested, the sentiment was originally expressed hundreds of years before the age of the internet and social media. And it’s really this viral spreading of mis- and disinformation that’s so dangerous.
Therefore, the most important thing we can all do – for our mutual, collective benefit – is to learn how to keep it from spreading so fast and so far. Obviously, you can be sure to do your own fact checking before posting, re-posting or forwarding information. But you can also help stop the spreading of mis- and disinformation from other sources.
Check Yourself
One big red flag for mis- or disinformation is content that’s designed to make you angry or scared. If you’re reading something and it’s getting you really worked up, it’s a good time to take a step back and ask yourself: Is this article trying to mess with my emotions? People pushing fake news know that when you’re angry or scared, you’re less likely to think critically about what you’re reading.
During election seasons, you’ll see tons of headlines that seem to be all about scandals and corruption. Sure, some of them might be legit, but a lot of them are just trying to get you riled up. Take a breath, check your facts, and don’t let yourself get swept away by the drama.
This is really an exercise in mindfulness, which has many benefits beyond this application. I need to get better at it myself. But basically, you need to teach yourself to recognize when your emotions are triggered and then hit the pause button to examine the cause in a sort of detached, analytical way. Before you let something get to you, stop and examine why its bothering you. You can’t change what you’re reading, but you can choose how you react.
Check the Source
After checking your own feelings and biases, you then need to think about the source of the information. Where is this information coming from? Is the website or author reputable, or are they known for spreading wild stories? And what’s in it for them? Are they pushing an agenda? Trying to sell you something or just keep you engaged so you can see more ads? Knowing the motives behind a story can tell you a lot about whether it’s trustworthy.
Here’s another relevant quote:
Half the Truth is often a great Lie. (Ben Franklin)
Note that I cited my source there. Always try to identify the original sources for any claim, especially if none are given. But the point of this quote is to say that the most effective or compelling disinformation often has some kernel of truth. Most reliable sources will at least attempt to provide other viewpoints to any controversial story or claim.
You might also check out comments and replies to a story or post. Yes, they can often be vapid, ignorant, or just plain vile. But sometimes you’ll find counterpoints to consider and maybe even links to sources or other useful information.
Check the Facts
Before you believe anything – and certainly before you forward or re-post anything – do some fact checking. Yes, in the today’s world of “fake news”, this can seem daunting. Here are some sites that are dedicated to fact checking and debunking.
NOTE: I’m not saying these sites are always correct! They have gotten things wrong in the past. What I’m trying to do is give you a variety of sources and encourage you to use more than one to try to learn more about something – and make up your own mind.
Top notch journalists and librarians are dedicated creating and finding reliable content, and also for identifying bad content. Some have published lists of helpful resources. Here are a couple examples, but I’m sure you could find more. This free book looks good, too.
If the story or post centers on an image that purports to show something scary or outrage-inducing, be aware that many such images are doctored or at least creatively edited. Some are just completely made up – in the age of AI, it’s pretty easy to generate a believable fake photo. But also, real images can be taken out of context. Again, try to find the source – use a reverse image search tool like Google Image Search or TinEye. Also, look closely at the image for oddities like warped lines that should be straight, extra or missing fingers/limbs on people, strange shadows or repeated patterns that don’t make sense. You can find more help here and here.
One caveat, though – check to make sure the article or post isn’t a clever parody or just sarcasm. It sounds dumb, but it does happen, especially with forwarded or reposted content.
Stop the Spread
Most social media platforms have some way to report mis- or disinformation. Many claim that they have teams of people or AI tools that are diligently doing this work, but I’m here to tell you that even if that were true, they’re not doing a good job. People make mistakes and have biases. Algorithms are notoriously bad at identifying ‘fake news’. So if you see something that you think is wrong and potentially harmful, look for a mechanism to report or flag it at such. See this article for help.
If the person who posted the content is someone you know, I would personally suggest reaching out to them privately and tactfully to raise your concern. Be empathetic and don’t automatically attribute their post to malice or ignorance. Have evidence ready, but also be ready to hear their point of view with an open mind. A large part of this whole problem is that we don’t listen to each other anymore and too often assume bad faith in people we disagree with. And look, I’m not perfect – I’ve done this. But the goal is not to be perfect, it’s to be better.
Take what you’ve learned here and use it the next time you’re scrolling through your feed. Share these tips with friends and family, and help build a community of sharp-eyed, well-informed folks who can see through the fog of misinformation. Engage and improve your critical thinking skills, but also make an effort to understand where other people are coming from, even if you disagree with them on some things.
Need practical security tips?
Sign up to receive Carey's favorite security tips + the first chapter of his book, Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons.
Don't get caught with your drawbridge down!
