Page 471 - Computer Science V2.0 Class 11

15.3.4 Spread of Rumours
As mentioned earlier, social media enables online communication and content sharing. A mischievous person may
inject a rumour into a social network. Often, a rumour might have inflammatory content that innocent users quickly
believe. For example, a mischief monger might make a video of a small part of the speech (by removing the context
of the speech) of a political leader and share it on social media with the intent of maligning the leader. So, before
forwarding a message, you should check to see if it’s true. This will stop rumours from spreading. Reputable news
sources like newspapers, radio, and TV news channels may be used to verify a message’s veracity.

15.3.5 Eavesdropping
Attacks that steal data being transmitted over a communication channel are known as eavesdropping, sniffing, or
snooping. Your passwords, credit card information, and other sensitive data may be stolen via eavesdropping.

Eavesdropping Attack

Fig 15.3: Eavesdropping
An eavesdropping attack may involve listening directly to digital or analog voice transmissions, or intercepting text,
images, or videos over a communication channel. An example of eavesdropping includes a tool installed on a phone
that sends details of all calls to an intruder. Furthermore, a hacker might use specialised tools to intercept and record
data packets from a network. Then, these packets may be analysed and possibly decrypted using cryptographic tools.

15.3.6 Cyber Trolls
Trolls are comments or posts that insult or defame other users or their content. Most of the time, these are done to
show disapproval of a specific person or their posts. However, people online may use rude language, inappropriate
words, or inappropriate media. Trolls can be found on social media sites, including X, Facebook, and YouTube. They
usually target influencers and celebrities who have big following.

15.3.7 Cyber Bullying
When a victim is bullied online, on social media, or in gaming communities, that is known as cyberbullying. Cyberbullies
try to make their victims feel bad about themselves and hurt their minds by taking advantage of their weaknesses and
insecurities. It is a repeated action that is meant to scare, anger, or shame people. Some examples of cyber bullying
are:
● spreading false information about someone or publishing embarrassing pictures or videos of them on social media,

● sending hurtful, threatening, or abusive messages, images, or videos through messaging services, or
● pretending to be someone else and sending hurtful messages to others on their behalf or through fictitious accounts.
15.3.8 Spam

Spam is unsolicited junk mail that is typically sent in bulk for advertising purposes. Since spam is almost free, businesses
send out a lot of it to advertise their products and services. Spam is very annoying as it fills the inbox with junk mail.

Society, Law and Ethics 457