Spreading false rumors about public figures has become relatively easy in the Internet era, mainly because of the speed, anonymity and breadth of information dissemination. The following are some common Internet methods that are used to spread false rumors about public figures： ### 1. **Social media platforms** -**Anonymous accounts**: Many social media platforms allow users to create anonymous accounts, which allows those who spread rumors to hide their true identities and reduce the risk of being held accountable. -**Viral spread**: By publishing eye-catching headlines or content, rumors can be retweeted and shared in large numbers in a short period of time, quickly spreading to a wide audience. -**Disinformation groups**: Some groups or communities are specifically used to spread unconfirmed information, and even deliberately create and spread rumors. ### 2. **Fake news sites** -**Fake news sites**: Some people will create seemingly formal news sites, publish false reports or rumors, and use the public's trust in the news media to mislead readers. -**Phishing websites**: By imitating the appearance and content of well-known news websites, spreading false information, inducing users to believe and spreading it. ### 3. **Deep Counterfeiting technology (Deepfake)** -**Fake video and audio**: Use artificial intelligence technology to produce lifelike fake video or audio, fake the speech or behavior of public figures, and mislead the public. -**Picture tampering**: Through image editing software, pictures are tampered with or forged to create false scenes or events. ### 4. **Forum and comment area** -**Malicious comments**: Post false information or defamatory comments under news articles, videos, or social media posts in an attempt to influence the public's perception of public figures. -**Forum discussion**: Spread rumors in forums or discussion forums, and use the interactivity of these platforms to allow rumors to spread rapidly among specific groups. ### 5. **Email and instant messaging tools** -**Fake emails**: Send false information or links via e-mail to induce the recipient to believe and spread rumors. -**Instant messaging groups**: In instant messaging tools such as WhatsApp and Telegram, false information is spread through group chats, especially in closed groups, where rumors are easier to believe and spread. ### 6. **Search engine optimization (SEO)** -**Manipulation of search results**: Through SEO technology, websites with false information or rumors are ranked at the forefront of search engine results, increasing their exposure and credibility. -**Keyword abuse**: Use popular keywords related to public figures to associate false information with these keywords to make it easier to search for. ### 7. **Cyber Navy and Robotics** -**Online navy**: Hire a large number of personnel or use automated tools to publish and forward false information on social media, forums and other platforms to create false public opinion. -**Robot accounts**: Use automated programs to create a large number of fake accounts, publish and spread rumors, and create false “popularity” and “attention”. ### 8. **Emotional manipulation** -**Taking advantage of public sentiment**: People who spread rumors often take advantage of emotions such as public anger, fear, or sympathy to make rumors easier to believe and spread. -**Create opposition**: By spreading false information about public figures, create opposition and disputes, and arouse public discussion and attention. ### 9. **Fake experts and authorities** -**Falsifying expert remarks**: Impersonate experts or authorities, publish false analysis or comments, and increase the credibility of rumors. -**Citing false sources**: Claiming that the information comes from “insiders” or “reliable sources”, but in fact these sources do not exist or are unreliable. ### 10. **Time difference and information overload** -**Taking advantage of the information vacuum**: Spreading rumors and using the information vacuum period to mislead the public when public figures have not responded or official information has not been released. -**Information overload**: A large amount of false information is released in a short period of time, making it difficult for the public to distinguish between true and false, and increasing the credibility of rumors. ### How to deal with and prevent? -**Improve media literacy**: The public should learn to discern the authenticity of information and not easily believe and disseminate unconfirmed information. -**Verify the source**: When receiving information about public figures, its source should be verified, especially information from unofficial or unreliable sources. -**Report and delete**: Social media platforms should strengthen content review and promptly delete and block accounts and content that spread rumors. -**Legal means**: Public figures can use legal means to hold those who spread rumors accountable and protect their own rights and interests. The openness and anonymity of the Internet provide convenience for the spread of rumors, but by improving the public's media literacy and strengthening platform supervision, the spread of false rumors can be effectively reduced.