Fake profiles and digital fraudsters: The ugly truth about online dating

© Provided by: PROTO THEMA S.A. Fake profiles and digital cheats: The ugly truth about online dating

Although around one in three uses platforms and web apps for on-line dating, does not all of them enjoy a positive experience. Kaspersky Lab’s latest research shows that users searching online “the one and only” can be disappointed – many have come in contact with false information and photos, malicious links, scammers trying to retrieve information from them, or people who lie about what they really are looking for from a relationship.

The survey showed that those looking for their “soul mate” on online dating platforms such as Tinder, Bumble, OK Cupid, Badoo and others – belong to the minority, with just 11% using online dating to find a companion who will be married. Still, almost half the users (48%) of such applications admit that they do it simply for fun and one in ten (13%) is just looking for sex.

The world of online dating is also filled with false information – something that can create even more problems for those seeking love. More than half of the users (57%) admit to lying when they flirted online – falsifying information to make themselves look better than real life, or even trying to get their comrades to mislead.

Fake data is a brake on people using online dating services, with one in five (19%) claiming to be discouraged from using online dating applications because of false photographs, one in ten because of false expectations for relationship (12%) and one in ten (11%) due to dishonest relationships. Interesting -and rather ironic- is the fact that finding false information is a greater disincentive for users lying than for honest users.

Although discouraged by false information, users around the world are also being removed from using online dating applications due to threats to their online security. 1 out of 10 points to factors such as fraudsters trying to retrieve personal or financial information from them, sending malicious links or malicious programs that “pollute” their device. When confronted with these threats, those who “pretend” tend to pay more attention to their security – e.g. 16% of those sharing false information infected their device with malware, spyware or ransomware through an online dating platform, compared to just 5% of those who do not share false information.

“Online dating is a wonderful way to meet new people in the busy and connected online world, so it’s easy to see why one in three people use it,”

said Andrei Mochola, Head of Consumer Business, Kaspersky Lab.

“But it’s not all easy and those who are looking for a real match on the Internet encounter a large amount of false information, cheats, or vague motivation in the process. For example, the enormous number of people lying trying to look better and more attractive than what they really are, indicates how users use digital services to filter and distort their personal information in the online world in a way which is not possible in the natural world. “

And he went on:

“As with any popular online trend, unfortunately there are people who want to use online dating for malicious purposes. Without advising users to totally avoid online dating, we simply urge them to look at their security at every step. Increased awareness, accompanied by an adaptive security solution that can respond to different situations and protect every device used for dating online threats, is the best way to get started. “

To help protect users from scammers and nasty characters when “making an online appointment,” Kaspersky Lab offers a range of security solutions based on in-depth Threat Intelligence and security expertise. Kaspersky Internet Security offers advanced features to protect every aspect of a user’s digital life.

Here you can find more information and read the full report: “Dangerous Liaisons: Is everyone doing it online?”

Source: www.protothema.gr