Tips And Tricks Protected From Cyber Threats In Clickbait Content

Illustration of viewing clickbait content (photo: Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Reports from Unit 42 of the Palo Alto Networks reveal that at least more than 10,300 WordPress sites have been compromised, which are centered on clickbait content, within two months since August 2023.

"Coacting with clickbait links and sites can cause users to be vulnerable to various cyber threats such as ransomware, malware, or viruses," said Adi Rusli, Country Manager, Indonesia, Palo Alto Networks.

What's more, Adi added, that Indonesia is currently entering an election period. Where sensational headlines, the latest topic of discussion, and also accompanied by fraudulent illustrations, can pose a significant cybersecurity risk for internet users.

So, to ensure the safety of voters during the election period, Adi Rusli advised the public to:

Avoid clicking suspicious links or interacting with content originating from untrusted sources, as it has the potential to lead to cybercrime such as hacking or phishing attempts.

"In the run-up to this election, skepticism must be grown towards sensational content or aimed at attracting attention," Adi explained further.

Don't forget to use a trusted fact-checking website such as fact-check.com, be wise in choosing.id, and others to verify the accuracy of information related to general elections.

Second, analyze news headlines, re-examine information, and confirm the truth of a site's content. With sophisticated language program capabilities, the big language model (LLM) is able to create convincing false content.

For that, fly the cursor above the link before clicking it to see the actual URL preview. Avoid clicking on a link that looks suspicious or has an odd or foreign character.

Repute evaluation of websites. Check the track record of the website and previous news history. If the site has a tendency to spread misinformation or load clickbait content, it is better to avoid interacting with the site.