BEWARE:SPOOF ALERT!

                   

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At some point of time we all have come across these types of posts/messages either on Facebook or on WhatsApp or even through E-mail.
These unwanted messages can be disguised in any form such as spam, hoax or phishing messages.
A hoax is a deliberate creation of falsehood made to masquerade the truth. It can be made to sound truthful by using unfamiliar or exaggerated terms, such as the dihydrogen monoxide hoax  which was prevalent in the 1990’s. But it is nothing but our dear water (H2O).
One of the most recent hoax which spread like a wildfire was Earth being covered in perpetual darkness after Diwali or some kind of radiations being emitted by your phone on a particular day.
The main reason why these hoaxes are circulating among thousands of people is either the lack of scientific literacy or gullibility of social media users.
We all have to understand that spamming your friends and family will not help a sick or a missing child, for that matter, at least without any background checks. (Aka sympathy hoaxes)
Now, we all have heard the tiger and the shepherd story, how the villagers don’t help shepherd when he actually needs it because of the pranks he used to play on them.

Social media is a double-edged sword. Because of these kind of hoaxes people are reluctant to help those who are genuinely in need of it.

SYMPATHY HOAXES are one of the nastiest hoaxes I’ve come across.
Creators of these hoaxes use the pictures of sick or injured children, creating fake stories and then circulating it. Usually these come with captions saying on each like or share XYZ company will donate a certain amount of money to the child or simply 1 like= 1 prayer.

MOTIVE BEHIND THESE HOAXES:

• Creation of these hoaxes are simply out of despicable mentalities for fun or to see how many likes or shares they get by fooling people around.
• Sometimes it is used by spammers to gather valid E-mail addresses, using the fact that people normally forward mails in their circles without using BCC option.

It is pointless to share these messages as it is not helping anyone.

 HOW TO AVOID HOAXES:

Next time if you come across such types of posts/messages:
In case of Facebook: Firstly, report that particular post and DO NOT comment on the post as it would promote it further.
If you find your friends taking a ride of such posts let them know.
In case of WhatsApp: If the message is from an unknown number block it right away.
DO NOT open any business card sent to you by an unknown number unless you asked for it.
Restrain yourself from forwarding any message that asks you to forward it to other people urgently. Instead try to run a background check first by using Google or true caller, if you’re still unsure ignore it.
DO NOT believe any message claiming to have found a cure for a disease or any health remedies before consulting your health professional.
In case of E-mail: Delete them as soon as you receive these messages.
If any company or person (claiming to be an official employee of a company) asks you to provide sensitive or personal information such as your bank account no. or pin number do not fall prey to such traps, instead report to the concerned authorities.

On the other hand there are a few genuine cases which need our immediate concern and support. Many people post on social media pages to reach out to a large number of people. It is highly advisable to verify the information provided and its preferable to go for cases which are shared by trustworthy associations only.
Extending a helping hand to a person in need is highly appreciated but verifying the information and channeling help to the right individual is of great importance too!

Thanks for reading and please keep visiting our blog to discover and appreciate more Yoddhas. 
Feel free to contact the Yoddhas team at team@yoddhas.com 

Lastly,

Praise the Yoddhas; Support the Yoddhas ; Love the Yoddhas!

Cheers!

Author- Arundhati Sitoke