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Information overload – protect yourself

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ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --

During the COVID-19 global pandemic, it’s vital to keep the public informed and to help prepare people, thereby lessening the chance for mass panic. Unfortunately, information being passed through the internet and social media can do the exact opposite and lead to more panic. Whether it be the spread of disinformation or malicious attempts to gain access to your devices, each user should be cautious.

Malicious Intrusive Attacks On Devices

Cyber-attacks target mobile phones, tablets, home, work computers and networks. Clickbait, a post or email with a link designed to entice a reader to click on it, can be considered a form of phishing. Spear phishing has information that is specific to you included in the bait. A successful phishing attack can allow a hacker to install malicious software on your device:
Ransom ware: locks and encrypts your data threatening to erase it unless you pay a fee.
Malware: Allows attacker to spy on your activities, access your log on credentials, steal your data - including identity and banking information - or even take control of your device.

Malicious attempts to target electronic devices for access can present as fake websites and social media posts. Once the link is clicked, the user may experience serious ramifications including identity theft and loss of data, finances or even complete shutdown of systems. There is no internet police, so it depends on you, the viewer, to police yourself.

To protect yourself, ensure your devices are updated with the latest virus protection and ensure you know about the site you are accessing by clicking the link. If it’s an offer that sounds too good to be true or promises compelling gossip, it’s best to search the information’s source or avoid it altogether.

Disinformation Understanding and Avoidance

Misinformation: Inaccuracies from error.
Disinformation: Deliberate falsehoods shared by design-often with sensational headlines to elicit an emotional response.

To help fight the spread of mis/disinformation ask the following before sharing:
• Is the content in an article original or a repost?
• Who shared or created it? Is it a trustworthy, reputable source?
• Is the social network account new with one line of posts, or well established with a variety of posts?
• When was the information created? Check dates and read thoroughly for mismatch or false information.
• Why is this information being shared, what does the writer want you to think? Who stands to benefit from your acceptance of this information?
• Candid pictures or stock internet photos? Go to images.google.com in chrome (desktop version) and paste the URL for the image to determine if it’s original or reused.

The bottom line is healthy skepticism. By taking a few minutes to verify, you ensure that the information you are reading is accurate. Being a cautious user does not mean swearing off the internet. Simply check source information before clicking links and not promoting what you don’t believe are two of the key habits to protecting yourself.

USAF Comments Policy
If you wish to comment, use the text box below. AF reserves the right to modify this policy at any time.

This is a moderated forum. That means all comments will be reviewed before posting. In addition, we expect that participants will treat each other, as well as our agency and our employees, with respect. We will not post comments that contain abusive or vulgar language, spam, hate speech, personal attacks, violate EEO policy, are offensive to other or similar content. We will not post comments that are spam, are clearly "off topic", promote services or products, infringe copyright protected material, or contain any links that don't contribute to the discussion. Comments that make unsupported accusations will also not be posted. The AF and the AF alone will make a determination as to which comments will be posted. Any references to commercial entities, products, services, or other non-governmental organizations or individuals that remain on the site are provided solely for the information of individuals using this page. These references are not intended to reflect the opinion of the AF, DoD, the United States, or its officers or employees concerning the significance, priority, or importance to be given the referenced entity, product, service, or organization. Such references are not an official or personal endorsement of any product, person, or service, and may not be quoted or reproduced for the purpose of stating or implying AF endorsement or approval of any product, person, or service.

Any comments that report criminal activity including: suicidal behaviour or sexual assault will be reported to appropriate authorities including OSI. This forum is not:

  • This forum is not to be used to report criminal activity. If you have information for law enforcement, please contact OSI or your local police agency.
  • Do not submit unsolicited proposals, or other business ideas or inquiries to this forum. This site is not to be used for contracting or commercial business.
  • This forum may not be used for the submission of any claim, demand, informal or formal complaint, or any other form of legal and/or administrative notice or process, or for the exhaustion of any legal and/or administrative remedy.

AF does not guarantee or warrant that any information posted by individuals on this forum is correct, and disclaims any liability for any loss or damage resulting from reliance on any such information. AF may not be able to verify, does not warrant or guarantee, and assumes no liability for anything posted on this website by any other person. AF does not endorse, support or otherwise promote any private or commercial entity or the information, products or services contained on those websites that may be reached through links on our website.

Members of the media are asked to send questions to the public affairs through their normal channels and to refrain from submitting questions here as comments. Reporter questions will not be posted. We recognize that the Web is a 24/7 medium, and your comments are welcome at any time. However, given the need to manage federal resources, moderating and posting of comments will occur during regular business hours Monday through Friday. Comments submitted after hours or on weekends will be read and posted as early as possible; in most cases, this means the next business day.

For the benefit of robust discussion, we ask that comments remain "on-topic." This means that comments will be posted only as it relates to the topic that is being discussed within the blog post. The views expressed on the site by non-federal commentators do not necessarily reflect the official views of the AF or the Federal Government.

To protect your own privacy and the privacy of others, please do not include personally identifiable information, such as name, Social Security number, DoD ID number, OSI Case number, phone numbers or email addresses in the body of your comment. If you do voluntarily include personally identifiable information in your comment, such as your name, that comment may or may not be posted on the page. If your comment is posted, your name will not be redacted or removed. In no circumstances will comments be posted that contain Social Security numbers, DoD ID numbers, OSI case numbers, addresses, email address or phone numbers. The default for the posting of comments is "anonymous", but if you opt not to, any information, including your login name, may be displayed on our site.

Thank you for taking the time to read this comment policy. We encourage your participation in our discussion and look forward to an active exchange of ideas.

 

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