THE INTERNET IS SCARY

Welcome to THE INTERNET IS SCARY, we're here to combat misinformation, deception, scams, and a variety of other online bad behavior. If you're a media organization, grant program, educator, sponsor, or otherwise would like to help with this mission, please contact outreach@internetisscary.org

THE INTERNET IS SCARY reposted

cailin

@feralcybersec.com

Cybersecurity Refined and Feral Podcast

Such a great talk with @tilmonedwards.com! The @internetisscary.org is such a fantastic project that needs to be shared widely.

Cybersecurity Refined and Feral Podcast@cybersecurityrefinedandferal.com

🎙️ NEW EPISODE with Sean Edwards from @internetisscary.org Sean shares practical insights on protecting yourself online, while keeping the conversation accessible and actionable. Perfect for anyone looking to build confidence in their digital life! 🎯 (1/2) #Cybersecurity #DigitalSafety #TechTalk

THE INTERNET IS SCARY reposted

@cybersecurityrefinedandferal.com

We just published some new artwork for each of the personas, so here's a thread introducing our cast of characters:

internetisscary.orgThe StalkerAmong the dangerous personas we’ve explored, the Stalker represents a uniquely invasive threat. While Trolls seek reaction and Scammers pursue quick profits, Stalkers fixate on specific targe…

The Stalker: Fixated pursuers who refuse to accept boundaries, treating digital persistence as license for ongoing surveillance - what they frame as dedication is actually a form of abuse.

internetisscary.orgThe AlgorithmUnlike our other personas, the Algorithm isn’t human – yet it might be the most influential force shaping online behavior. Think of it as an invisible broker, constantly watching, learning, a…

The Algorithm: The invisible puppet master shaping what we see to maximize engagement regardless of impact - it learns your vulnerabilities to keep you scrolling, clicking, and sharing.

We just published some new artwork for each of the personas, so here's a thread introducing our cast of characters:

internetisscary.orgThe GrifterWhere Scammers strike quickly and move on, Grifters play a longer, more sophisticated game. They build communities, cultivate authority, and create ecosystems of trust – all to enable sustained exp…

The Grifter: Building elaborate schemes of trust exploitation, they start with genuine value before gradually mixing in fraudulent claims - they sell salvation rather than solutions.

internetisscary.orgThe TrollWhere Scammers seek money and Grifters pursue power, Trolls chase something more abstract: reaction. They deliberately provoke emotional responses from others, finding entertainment in the disrupti…

The Troll: Chaos agents who derive entertainment from provoking emotional responses and derailing productive conversations - they celebrate rather than regret when they cause distress.

We just published some new artwork for each of the personas, so here's a thread introducing our cast of characters:

internetisscary.orgThe InfluencerWhere Creators focus on producing specific content and Builders craft tools, Influencers craft themselves into products. They transform their personalities, lifestyles, and daily experiences into c…

The Influencer: Transforming their personality and lifestyle into a product, manufacturing parasocial relationships - they sell feelings rather than things, blurring authenticity and performance.

internetisscary.orgThe ScammerJust as pickpockets and con artists operate in physical spaces, Scammers prowl the digital world looking for victims. Unlike Grifters who build elaborate long-term schemes, Scammers focus on quick …

The Scammer: Digital predators running constant experiments in deception, using artificial urgency to bypass critical thinking - they play the numbers game, knowing some percentage will fall for it.

We just published some new artwork for each of the personas, so here's a thread introducing our cast of characters:

internetisscary.orgThe GuardianIn a digital landscape rife with threats and exploitation, Guardians stand as defenders of individual privacy, security, and digital rights. These cybersecurity researchers, privacy advocates, and …

The Guardian: Working tirelessly to protect individual privacy, security and digital rights - they fight to preserve the internet as a space for empowerment rather than exploitation.

internetisscary.orgAnonymousIn the digital world, true identity can be as fluid as water. While many users maintain consistent personas across platforms, Anonymous actively cultivates uncertainty about who they are. This isn&…

Anonymous: Masters of shifting identity who actively resist being tracked or profiled - their motives range from self-protection to manipulation, making them challenging to evaluate.

We just published some new artwork for each of the personas, so here's a thread introducing our cast of characters:

internetisscary.orgThe CreatorIn the vast landscape of digital content, Creators stand out as the architects of value. Unlike Digital Citizens who primarily consume content, or Influencers who focus on personal brand, Creators …

The Creator: Building genuine value through expertise and craft, Creators focus on their work rather than personal brand - but platform pressures can tempt them to compromise quality for attention.

internetisscary.orgThe BuilderWhile Creators shape content and Digital Citizens inhabit online spaces, Builders construct the very foundations of our digital world. They are the engineers, developers, and technical architects w…

The Builder: The engineers and developers crafting our digital infrastructure with a commitment to transparency and community benefit - they hold immense power but choose to use it ethically.

We just published some new artwork for each of the personas, so here's a thread introducing our cast of characters:

internetisscary.orgThe Digital CitizenAt the heart of the internet’s vibrant ecosystem is its most numerous yet often overlooked participant: the Digital Citizen. These are the everyday people who make up the vast majority of onl…

The Digital Citizen: The everyday person just trying to live their life online - their authentic engagement makes them both valuable community members and tempting targets for manipulation.

internetisscary.orgThe Digital NativeDigital Natives thrive online, seeking genuine connections due to personal circumstances. They navigate digital spaces thoughtfully, fostering communities and advocating for digital safety.

The Digital Native: Those who find their primary social connections through digital spaces, sometimes because physical spaces present barriers.

internetisscary.orgThe Engagement Trap: Why Your Anger Makes Bad Content ThriveIn the attention economy, engagement is king. But this simple truth leads to a troubling reality: the most inflammatory, divisive, and emotionally manipulative content often rises to the top while …

22 Dec 2024

Emily is right. In the attention economy, getting mad amplifies the message that you're mad about. Share something constructive instead. 💯

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THE INTERNET IS SCARY reposted

internetisscary.orgUnderstanding Follow-Back Schemes: When Building “Community” Goes WrongFollow-back schemes are an organizing tactic of trolling and disinformation networks and you should not participate in them.

These hashtags are filled with bots trying to build followings so that they can sell the accounts to spammers or spread disinformation and hate #NoDemUnder5k #NoDemUnder20k #NoDemUnder10k #BlueWave #FollowBack #BlueCrew #Follow4Follow Read more ⬇️

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internetisscary.orgHow China Uses Social Media for Psychological WarfareChina's military uses social media and AI for psychological warfare and influence operations.

19 Dec 2024

Yes, they really call it "mind dominance"

internetisscary.orgWhen “Animal Rescue” Videos Are Actually Abuse: Understanding Fake Rescue ScamsScammers exploit emotional responses by staging fake animal rescues on social media, misdirecting funds and harming animals in the process.

18 Dec 2024

Not all animal rescue content is what it seems. Scammers are deliberately putting animals in danger to film "rescue" videos for views and donations. Learn how to spot fake rescue content and protect animals from exploitation.

internetisscary.orgThe Drone Hoax and Why You Absolutely Should Not Shine Lasers Into the SkyThe drone hoax and why YOU MUST NOT SHINE LASERS INTO THE SKY.

🚫 DO NOT SHINE LASERS INTO THE SKY! 🚫 🚫 DO NOT SHINE LASERS INTO THE SKY! 🚫 🚫 DO NOT SHINE LASERS INTO THE SKY! 🚫

Some of these drones are sent up by people to deliberately stir moral panic. We wrote about that sort of behavior here ⬇️

Brad Heath@bradheath.bsky.social

Drone spottings as self-licking ice cream cone. www.nytimes.com/2024/12/16/u...

"You really think someone would do that? Anonymously provoke reactions that make problems worse for a laugh?"

internetisscary.orgThe Drone Hoax and Why You Absolutely Should Not Shine Lasers Into the SkyThe drone hoax and why YOU MUST NOT SHINE LASERS INTO THE SKY.

🚫 DO NOT SHINE LASERS INTO THE SKY! 🚫 🚫 DO NOT SHINE LASERS INTO THE SKY! 🚫 🚫 DO NOT SHINE LASERS INTO THE SKY! 🚫

/sigh... 🚫 DO NOT SHOOT DOWN DRONES! 🚫 🚫 DO NOT SHOOT DOWN DRONES! 🚫 🚫 DO NOT SHOOT DOWN DRONES! 🚫

Matthew Gertz@mattgertz.bsky.social

Reaching new levels of psychosis out there.

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THE INTERNET IS SCARY reposted

Ned Horn

@nedhorn.bsky.social

npr.orgThe Windshield-Pitting Mystery Of 1954For some strange reason, people across America began to notice that thousands of automobile windshields were dotted with teeny-tiny pockmarks.

Replying to @internetisscary.org

A close parallel is the "pitted car window" panic of 1954, one that went all the way up to the white house. Suddenly, MYSTERIOUS PITTS were appearing on windshields! But pitted windshields have always been common, except people never looked for them, until then. www.npr.org/sections/npr...

internetisscary.orgThe Drone Hoax and Why You Absolutely Should Not Shine Lasers Into the SkyThe drone hoax and why YOU MUST NOT SHINE LASERS INTO THE SKY.

🚫 DO NOT SHINE LASERS INTO THE SKY! 🚫 🚫 DO NOT SHINE LASERS INTO THE SKY! 🚫 🚫 DO NOT SHINE LASERS INTO THE SKY! 🚫

If you shine lasers into the sky, the aliens will come get you.

Tilmon Edwards (Dirigo)@tilmonedwards.com

really love the idea of actual UFO style aliens showing up, and some shithead is out there with his laser pointer like "I'll show them!!" but then they fly over and beam his ass into the sky and he's floating his way up there thinking "man, I did not think that one though"

Here's a great thread on how to identify the actual Russian Trolls 👇🧵

Mr. Alfred Hog 🇺🇦@silkscreenfiend.bsky.social

So this morning I encountered something I hadn't seen yet on Bluesky: a professional troll. I've dealt with plenty of jerks, dicks and reply guys, but this is the first time since leaving Twitter that I've met what I'm pretty certain is a persona created by russian intelligence. 1/

internetisscary.orgThe Evolution of YouTube Scams: How Content Creators Are Being TargetedSophisticated scams targeting YouTube creators compromise channels through fake partnerships.

🚨 YouTube creators are losing their channels to scammers posing as brand reps from major companies. 🚩 Sponsorship opportunities 🚩 Signing anything before the first meeting 🚩 Urgency or "Exploding Offers" Learn how to protect yourself:

⬆️ Send this post to the Youtubers in your life!

Looks like we struck a nerve with the scammers on Facebook! Let's look at this message 🚩 FEAR ("your account will be disabled") 🚩 URGENCY ("You have 24 hours") 🚩 "I'm from Facebook Sup-Team" 🚩 "Group Terms of Service © 2024 Inc" Thanks "Mieczysław Fiks" for a great example of a Facebook page scam 👇

THE INTERNET IS SCARY reposted

internetisscary.orgYour Rulebook Is Their BattlefieldRules lawyering exploits community guidelines, undermining shared values. Protect communities by recognizing bad faith and prioritizing healthy interactions over rigid enforcement.

13 Dec 2024

“Rules lawyering” is the art of technically following the letter of the law while brazenly violating its spirit. Watch out for: 🚩 Antisocial behavior that isn't "technically" a violation of the rules 🚩 Pretending that moderation is a court of law 🚩 Off-platform coordination and strategizing

THE INTERNET IS SCARY reposted

Sascha Stronach🏳️‍⚧️, The Sunforge out now

@understatesmen.bsky.social

12 Dec 2024

somethingawful had the best and smartest rule in the history of any online space: it's against the rules to try to find a grey area in the rules. If you have to argue that what you posted is fine, it's actually not fine, goodbye.

13 Dec 2024

13 Dec 2024

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Sascha Stronach🏳️‍⚧️, The Sunforge out now@understatesmen.bsky.social

internetisscary.orgValues Aren’t OptionalReal values endure despite inconvenience, shaping your character and guiding you through life’s challenges.

10 Dec 2024

"Values" that you believe only when they're convenient aren't values at all, they're preferences. What are your actual values? The things you believe when no one is watching. Go write them down on paper, and then read them back to yourself.

internetisscary.orgWhen Fans Become Weapons: Understanding Influencer-Driven HarassmentThe dynamics of social media can unintentionally lead to severe harassment; influencers must wield their power responsibly.

10 Dec 2024

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Popehat@kenwhite.bsky.social

I have a tingly feeling and an uptick of weirdos and losers in my mentions, like a grifter is trying to monetize me

THE INTERNET IS SCARY reposted

@ed3d.net

9 Dec 2024

Tentatively hoping to start alpha testing on the @identivine.com verification service this weekend. Ramp-up is going to be pretty slow, so I don't kill the service under load. Last call for early testers: docs.google.com/forms/d/1vBI...

docs.google.comSekrit Project Interest FormThere are many projects, and many are sekrit. This particular one has to do with tackling identity verification in a way that works across a distributed web, doesn't invade the verified's privacy (to ...

youtube.comWelcome to the Internet - Bo Burnham (from "Inside" -- ALBUM OUT NOW)YouTube video by boburnham

8 Dec 2024

6 Dec 2024

Attention Economics 101 - all attention is good attention.

Popehat@kenwhite.bsky.social

If a notorious contrarian/heterodox grifter actually does come here, one could keep in mind that yelling abuse at him, whether or not it is deserved, is putting money in his pocket, as he’ll just use it as fodder for the heterodox-victim grift.

THE INTERNET IS SCARY reposted

Popehat

@kenwhite.bsky.social

6 Dec 2024

internetisscary.orgWhen Fans Become Weapons: Understanding Influencer-Driven HarassmentThe dark side of online influence isn’t always intentional. Sometimes it emerges from the natural dynamics of social media, where a single complaint can transform into an avalanche of harassm…

5 Dec 2024

Your favorite influencer doesn't see the avalanche they create. One complaint from them = thousands of angry DMs for their target. How fans become unwitting weapons in the attention economy, and why you might be part of the problem. ⬇️⬇️⬇️