The recent Swine Flu pandemic has many people panicking mainly due to several online blogs, twitter updates and the mainstream media.
Twitter, among other popular social networks, are always a major concern when it comes to computer safety or security issues over the internet.
Blogs and Twitter now play a big role in causing an uproar on just about anything that makes news now days including the recent Swine Flu issue. Twitter is being blamed for spreading panic regarding the swine flu through several tweets.
Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that allows users to send and read each other's updates or tweets. Twitter was started in 2006 and since has gained worldwide popularity and social gateway to send and receive tidbits of information.
There is no doubt that Twitter is a powerful tool for spreading information, whether it is false, opinion or a fact. Twitter has also been a tool for hackers to exploit high-profile people and commit phishing attacks.
In the recent spread of the swing flu information, twitter has been a major source for those seeking additional information. Some of the recent tweets consist of outrageous and bogus updates about swine flu. Below we have listed excerpts of recent tweets related to the swine flu:
"This really worries me. This stuff spreads so fast and you can get exposed by people who aren't even showing symptoms. I'm going to stay away from anyone who's recently been to Mexico until they are way past the incubation period."
"The Swine Flu pill spam has started and it's taking a few Hollywood stars names in vain. Nothing out of the ordinary with the sites on the far end yet though I do expect Oseltamivir [AKA Tamiflu] will get some extra exposure once the affiliate pill sites are updated."
"Quickly, don your paper masks! Stay indoors! The dirty Mexican pig influenza is here, to sicken you! Wocka wocka. Did you know that America had another swine flu panic, in 1976? ... The bold action ... backfired! ... The problem wasn't that bad in the first place!"
Do you expect that blogs and twitter will continue to make the situation out to be much worse than it is?