1. What constitutes state information security?
The state’s information security includes: (1) the protection of its information resources, especially classified information; (2) the protection of state institutions and society from the influence of disinformation and propaganda; and (3) developing offensive abilities against the information resources of a potential adversary that could have an influence on society.
2. What distinguishes agents of influence from useful idiots, trolls, and bots?
Agents of influence are people who duplicate disinformation on behalf of a foreign intelligence service. They can receive certain benefits, which are often financial, for their activities. “Useful idiots” also propagate foreign disinformation and propaganda but do so unconsciously. Their actions are not the result of a task or motivation from a foreign intelligence officer but are guided by their personal views, beliefs, or carelessness. Trolls are people who shape the debate on the internet by publishing comments and entries on behalf of state or private entities. They receive compensation for their activities, and their work is controlled and coordinated by their superiors. Bots perform the same tasks as trolls but are created through artificial intelligence algorithms that automatically post entries and comments.
3. What are the main types of information falsehood?
“Misinformation” is information that does not correspond to reality. It can be disseminated both intentionally and unintentionally. “Disinformation” is information that is deliberately created or reproduced and which is untrue or manipulated and used to mislead the recipient for specific political, economic, or military purposes. “Malinformation” is the misuse of information used, for example, to stigmatize certain social groups through hate speech.
4. What is the Russian scheme of interference in elections in democratic countries?
The Russian scheme of interference in the political processes of democratic states includes cyber-attacks on information systems of political parties and government structures; hacking of private and business emails followed by controlled leaks of stolen data (hack-and-leak); and mass dissemination of disinformation on social media using bots, trolls, propaganda tubes, networks of pro-Russian think-tanks, agents of influence, and other active measures. The
5. What are the basic principles of disinformation in the RESIST model?
The basic principles of disinformation can be described by the acronym FIRST, which stands for: Fabrication and manipulation of the content of the message; identity, which involves concealing or stealing an identity; rhetoric, or using arguments based on false information or offensive attacks; symbolism, which involves the use of symbols to enhance the communication message; and technology, which means taking advantage of new technologies like bots.
6. What are the methods and techniques of the Russian disinformation model (SWAMPED) identified by the EUvsDisinfo team?
The EUvsDisinfo team has identified the following instruments of Russian disinformation, referred to as SWAMPED: Strawman, or attacking opponents for views or ideas they never expressed; whataboutism, which is a technique of responding to an accusation or difficult question by making a counter-accusation or raising another issue; attack, which involves using offensive language to discourage opposition; mockery, or the use of sarcasm to undermine an opponent; provocations, which uses charges that are both provocative and baseless; exhaust, which involves flooding an opponent with details and technicalities; and denial, or questioning any evidence of the existence of disinformation.
7. What is critical thinking?
Critical thinking is the reflection and analysis used to make decisions and solve problems. It is based on logical, careful inference and is a process driven by good evidence. It defines problems, identifies conflicting arguments, uses relevant and reliable data, raises fundamental questions, and uses information efficiently to make judgments and informed decisions. Critical thinking is directly aimed at achieving a well-founded opinion and using adequate standards of evaluation that determine the true meaning or value of something.
8. What principles should fact-checking organizations follow?
The basic principles are contained in a code of fact-checking organizations established by the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN). Their foundations consist of three elements: impartiality and honesty; operational transparency of sources, funding, organization and methodology; and an intention to improve the quality of public debate.
The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) has proposed a simplified model for identifying false information consisting of the following steps: (1) checking the source; (2) checking the authors; (3) checking the date of publication; (4) reading the entire text; (5) paying attention to bias; (6) verifying with additional sources; (7) checking for satire; and (8) confronting the news with the opinions of experts.
10. What are basic principles of operational security (OPSEC) in open-source intelligence (OSINT)?
Basic OPSEC best practices include: (1) using a password manager and two-factor authentication; (2) using anti-virus software; (3) systematically updating operating systems, applications and programs; (4) systematically backing up research to an external drive or in the cloud; (5) selective sharing of information about oneself on the web and limiting one’s visibility to others on social media; (6) protecting sensitive information concerning one’s own identity and activities; (7) reducing digital traces left in the network; (8) avoiding the use of open Wi-Fi networks; (9) using encryption keys and secure applications; and (10) anonymizing activities through the use of a VPN or TOR browser.