facebook impersonation research

COMMUNICATION RESEARCH

(JMS3133)

INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH PROPOSAL : FACEBOOK FAKE AND IMPERSONATION PROFILE

PREPARED BY

MOHD ASHRIDHAN BIN HAJI ROSNI

4135002601

PREPARED FOR

MADAM ADLENE BINTI ARIS

SUBMISSION DATE

23rd APRIL 2015 (Cohort 11534)

LIST OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

CHAPTER 1 : INTRODUCTION

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

1.3 Problem Statement

1.5 Research Questions

1.6 Research Objectives

1.7 Significance of the Study

1.8 Limitation of the Study

CHAPTER 2 : LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0 Introduction

2.1 False Identity

2.2 Impostoring Group, Brand, and Organization level

2.3 Uses and Gratification Theory

2.4 Conceptual Framework

CHAPTER 3 : METHODOLOGY

3.0 Introduction

3.1 Research Design

3.2 Research Instrument

3.2.1 Administration

3.2.2 Date and Time of Collecting Data

3.2.3 Location

3.2.5 Strategy Used to Collect Data

- Example Questionnaire

BIBLIOGRAPHY

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Assalamualaikum and greetings,

Alhamdulillah, I have manage to complete my individual research with a much limitation

time and sources. This research topic that I have choose, is related myself as well as I also

part of become the prey for the fake and impersonation photo in Facebook. Therefore, I have

made a decision to take this opportunity to perform the further study on these in order to seek

the answer for everything need to. A million appreciation dedicated to my dear lecturer,

Madam Adlene Aris for her advised and encouragement to enforce me to establish this

research with an ease. She is very inspirational for me as she have taught me about all the

beneficial lesson for me to take the leap further in improvise my progress and achieve my

desire goals swiftly. I would like to thanks to my friends for their contribution in term of

knowledge and assist me during my research perform. I am firmly believe this research can

eliminate all the obstacles related to the issue of fraud, framing, cyber theft and bully with a

development of vivid solution to minimize and avoid this.

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Social media is one of medium with diversities of functions that has brought human with

myriad of transformation and reach on another leap of establishment. As for myself, I am

admit that the important of social media especially Facebook. I started use it since I was 17

years old and I have become the loyal users right until now. The social media considered to

be the vital media which encompasses with many feature which could bring certain benefits

to society in many large area for example in business sectors. As for it allow them to publish

their product as one of advertisement technique, which is quite effective to disseminate the

information throughout massive number of audiences who also use the similar social

networking. I realized the great advantages by social media can bring the mutual bond of

friendship and getting know with other people who live afar countries, even the top celebrity,

politician and other prominence people also not avoid to use it to spread their daily life and

philosophy to be share. However, the social media especially Facebook has triggered

numerous issues indicating of fake and impersonation photo which has put me an attention to

bury deeper about how this issue occur.

1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY

As the world of social media began to expand, over a million people have created their own

social media account whether in Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and manymore. We all

acknowledged the functionality of social media in such a wide area of uses and advantages to

society. However, there is also the issues that happened to the social media users which

mostly related to the fake and impersonation photos in Facebook. Among all social

networkings, the Facebook have been reported many issues indicate the fake and

impersonation photos resemble to the other identity or entity which consider to be illegal in

laws. Many of the research nowadays has emphasized on protecting the privacy of an existing

online profile in a given OSN which stand for 'online social network'. Aside that, we will

aware that there will be expose to severe risk of not having a profile in the last liking in social

network. The risk is happen because of the fact that our enemy probably create a fake profile

to impersonate a real person on the OSN. The fake profile able to utilize to develop online

relationship with the friends of victim of identity theft, intention of stealing personal

information of the victim, and communicate online with the friends of the victim (5). It

actually has become viral and many social media users tend to create fake photos for various

motives neither fraud, frame, cyberbully, and so on. There is one issue about the increasing

number of impersonation of Nigerian businessmen and celebrity generally, who are

impersonated This matter has become one of issues which can actually harm the prior and

safety of every social media users. Thus, I have choose this issues because I am also one of

former victim as one of my dominant topic to be investigated thoroughly to find out every

detail and several solution can be implement to overcome it. Hence, my topic of study is

more into the 'Fake and Impersonation Photo in Facebook'.

1.3 PROBLEM STATEMENTS

Plentiful of question has come out due this problem which put us a great wonder on the how

fake and impersonation photo within Facebook can happen. This issue happen with many

various reasons that encourage them to engage such an action to faken their own identity for

unexplainable purposes. As we already know, there are issue which is quite relevant relate to

the cyberbully, and framing behaviour able to tarnish the name of people's dignity. Facebook

provide the term and regulation to all the user who are want to sign is, however it has become

less effective and many user tends to ignore the rules that implemented by Facebook. As

nowadays, the world of technology involve hacking is expand like mushroom grow after rain.

It actually already exist before the existence of social media, cyber crime perpetrator found to

be manipulate the Internet for their advantages. As the new IT era advances, many people

which include students from among nations have the acquire the skills in computer and

technology. The victims seem to be come from a well-known people like the celebrity,

politician and other famous peoples. Though, this issue can target all type of person no

matter how level of their social class it is.

1.5 RESEARCH QUESTION

1. Why do they (social media user) impersonate other photo beside using their original photo in Facebook?

2. What is their real attention or motive to attempt the fake photo inside Facebook?3. How do they get influence to attempting this behaviour?4. What is the pros and cons of fake and impersonate photo within Facebook?5. What penalty and fine for those who initiate this behaviour?6. What action must be implement by Facebook to overcome this issue?7. Is the Facebook and other Social media is the part of reason or factor lead this problem?

1.6 RESEARCH OBJECTIVE

1. To identify the factors of leading the attempt of fake and impersonation photo in Facebook.2. To examine the frequency of fake and impersonation photo in Facebook.3. Investigate the initiatives can be execute by Facebook to overcome this issue

1.7 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

To study the fake and impersonation photo in Facebook can bring myriad of credibility for

all who are wanted to carry out a comprehensive understanding about this issues further. This

research is essential especially for the use of academic study in the future as well as for the

companies who wish to seek the solution and rightful information to prevent this from occur.

Hopefully it can be one of source of information to be find by many social networking

especially Facebook's users to raise the sense of awareness and understand the the rights from

becoming part of cyber's victim neither be the initiators. It is very crucial to overcome this

issue in order to protect the safety in all aspects of area for sake of future generations later.

1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

As this is an individual research, I have lack the sufficient time to complete it with a very

tight schedule which have slow down my effort. It take only a several weeks for me after

received the guideline on how to establish our research. Nevertheless, thanks to our advisor

for her patience in motivate me to carry out the investigation about my research focus.

CHAPTER 2 - LITERATURE REVIEWS

2.0 INTRODUCTION

A triggered news recently exposed on media said that 8.7 percent of users on Facebook

are fake, which can be measure to an amounts to more than 83 million accounts worldwide.

The impact is by this massive number of fake users whose profiles were involves the

capabilities of dangers ranging from spy, identity thievery, information misuse and mean of

avoidance to privacy compromise to the users and their families. Fake profiles are the profiles

which are not genuine which indicate they are who claim to be someone they are not, doing

some malicious and undesirable activity, causing problems to the social network and fellow

users. There several reason we can deduct of what reason they create fake photo either profile

which are due to the Social Engineering, Online impersonation to defame a person

and Advertising and campaigning a person. (1)

2.1 FALSE IDENTITY

False identity is known as invention of an entirely new false identity in order to avoid

capture for another crime, conduct spy activities, or to perform fraud and or prevent

detection, and suprisingly also to give aid victims of identity-crime to recover their

reputation after victimisation. It is said that Facebook have estimated that 83 million

registered users are actually duplicated accounts, spammers, or non-people, “like that profile

you made for your puppy” (Jeffries, 2012) (2)

2.2 IMPOSTORING GROUP /BRAND/ ORGANIZATION LEVEL

Fake Facebook accounts not only can intervene the individuals can not only harm

individuals but they’re also bad for businesses. Many websites and mobile apps use Facebook

Login to register new users which are coincidently have welcoming fake Facebook accounts

to be occur , businesses may easily affect themselves to three specific harms which are spam,

fraud and misspent market budget (Vitrue,2014). Fake Facebook accounts usually used by

scammers to initiate a fraud to the other individuals on their company’s platform. The

fraudsters able to use fake accounts to conduct illegal money laundering schemes or use them

as “burner” accounts to accompany stolen credit cards when making fraud purchases

(Virtrue,2014) (3)

2.3 USES AND GRATIFICATION THEORY (WIKIPEDIA)

For my research topic, I have choose Uses and gratifications theory (UGT) is an approach to

understanding why and how people actively find out the certain media to satisfy specific

needs. UGT is an audience-centered approach to understanding mass communication. UGT

focuses on "what do people do with media?" (Katz, Elihu,1959).

The driving question of Uses and gratification theory is about 'Why do people use media

and what do they use them for? UGT emphasize on how users deliberately choose media that

able to satisfy given needs and allow one to develop knowledge, relaxation, social

interactions/companionship, diversion, or escape. (Tankard Jr., James W. 2000/ McQuail,

Denis,2010). At the core of uses and gratifications theory lies the assumption that audience

members actively seek out the mass media to satisfy individual needs. (4)

Uses and gratifications theory explain more into the uses and functions of the media for

individuals, groups, and society in general. There are three objectives in constructing the uses

and gratifications theory:

1) to describe on how individuals use mass communication to gratify their needs. “What do

people do with the media”.

2) to investigate the underlying motives for individuals’ media use.

3) to identify the positive and the negative effect on individual media use.

2.4 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

I am using of quantitative methods to determine the several factors lead to the fake and

impersonation photo in Facebook. Thus, I have tried to construct the independent and

dependent variables structure focus on my research topic all about.

Independent Variables Dependent Variables

FIGURE 1

The conceptual framework shows the relationship between independent and dependent

variable. The dependent of variable on this case study will be fake and impersonate photo in

Facebook. Based on Figure 1, its show that independent variable had been divided into three

sections, which is famous or attention need factors, psychology or emotions factors like

jealousy or hatred, and profit factor by cyber theft or fraud.

FAKE AND IMPERSONATE PHOTO

IN FACEBOOK

POPULARITY/ ATTENTION NEED FACTOR

PSYCHOLOGY/EMOTION FACTOR

PROFITS FACTOR

CHAPTER 3 - METHODOLOGY

3.0 INTRODUCTION

Methodology is the systematic, theoretical analysis of the methods that related to a field of

study. Typically, it consist of concepts such as paradigm, theoretical model, phases and

quantitative or qualitative techniques.

Research Methodology is a useful way to find out the result of a given problem on a

specific matter or problem that is also referred as research problem. In Methodology,

researcher uses different criteria of solving the problem.

The small topics that falls under the research methodology which are research design,

research instrument, administrative, date and time of collecting data, location and frequency

of collecting data.

3.1 RESEARCH DESIGN

The research designs in the methodology are divided into two methods which is Quantitative

and Qualitative. Quantitative research aims to measure the quantity or amount and compares

it with past records and tries to project for future period.

Qualitative research presents non-quantitative type of analysis. Qualitative research is

collecting, analyzing and interpreting data by observing what people do and interpret.

Qualitative research refers to the meanings, definitions, characteristics, symbols, metaphors,

and description of things.

Thus, my research design of this study is more into Quantitative Research. The method

that I used is survey which can provide a means of measuring a population’s characteristics,

self-reported and observed behaviour, awareness of programs, attitudes or opinions, and

needs. Thus, I have prepare the questionnaire designs to be distribute to my targeted

respondents to achieve my objective research. My research is emphasize on fake and

impersonation photo in Facebook. on how the popularity or attention need, psychology or

emotions and profit factor that derives a person to attempt this action.

3.2 RESEARCH INTSRUMENTS

3.2.1 ADMINISTRATIVE

I have distribute the questionnaires to 350 respondents who are mostly are from Uniselian

students round age 19-25 years old in like 2- 3 weeks to receive all the feedback from them.

Then, I have establish the conclusion based my questionnaires papers which according to my

research objectives.

3.2.2 DATE AND TIME COLLECT DATA

My research to analyze the surveys questionnaires started on 23 th March 2015 until 12rd April

2015. I have try to search to distribute the questionnaires to respondents from 9.00 am until

5.00pm.

3.2.3 LOCATION

This research was carried out only inside the Unisel place as one location because this

research topic is stress out only on Unisel students as my respondents for my survey methods.

3.2.4 STRATEGY USED TO COLLECT DATA

Within my questionnaires design paper, it contain 20 questions and it only have one section

that combining the three type question that is related to independent variable mainly indicate

the popularity and attention factors, emotions factors and profit factors. Here my

questionnaire sample that I have made :

QUESTIONAIRRE - FAKE PHOTO OR IMPERSONATE OF FAMOUS PEOPLE IN SOCIAL MEDIA

Instruction : Try answer it honestly without taking much time by circle the provided answer.

1) Have you ever see a faked profile photo in your social media before ?A. Yes B. No

2) Do you ever try impersonate/fake photo of famous people within your social media profile picture?

A. Yes B. No

3) Why do people like to impersonate/faking photo of famous people?

A. They are shy B. They seek attention

C. Obsessed with their celebrity D. Other reason

4) Do you think this matter indicate fake photo/impersonation of famous people consider to be serious problem?

A. Strongly Agree B. Fairly Agree C. Neutral

D. Slightly Disagree E. Strongly Disagree

5) Do you know and ever read the Social media terms, condition and its policies?

A. Yes B. No C. Sometime

6) Those who do it probably are lonely person.

A. Strongly Agree B. Slightly Agree C. Neutral


7) Do you think it is wrong and illegal to impersonate/faking famous people photo in Social Media ?



8) Do their parent know about what they are doing it?

A. Yes B. No C. Maybe

9) Who do you think influence them the most which cause it happen?

A. Celebrity B. Friends C. Social Media D. Parent E. Others

10) Do you think this problem consider as a new type of social issue?

A. Yes B. No C. Maybe

11) A person who do this may have mental disorder due to be bullied or lack sense of love.


D. Slightly Disagree E. Strongly Agree

12) Who are to be blame the most?

A. Parent B. Social Media C. Friends D. Celebrity

13) Which famous person do they impersonates/faking photo the most that you ever see?

A. Western or Europe artist B. East Asia artist C. Local Artist D. Cartoons

14) Do you think this issue should bring down to the police and court responsible?

A. Strongly Agree B. Slightly Disagree C. Neutral

D. Slightly Disagree E. Strongly Agree

15) If you are the one who do it, what do you feel?

A. Fun B. Guilty C. Uncertain

16) If you see someone impersonate of others famous person in Social media, what come out inside your mind?

A. Doubt or Disbelief B. Impress or Belief C. Uncertain

17) Have you ever believed and been fooled by someone who impersonate famous person in Social media ?

A. Yes B. No

18) Those who attempt it mostly are ?

A. Teenagers B. Middle Age C. Old Age D. Kids

19) Do you agree the quotes " Be yourself, be original" is the best word define this issue?



20) What is your best way to overcome when this problem occur?

A. Report to the Social Media to block their account

B. Give an advice to them

C. Report to the police to arrest them

D. Others

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. R.N. Reddy & N. Kumar. Automatic Detection of Fake Profile in Online Social

Networks. National Institute of Technology Rourkela, India. Page 4-7, 2012.

2. D.S. Wall. Future Identities : Changing identities in the UK - the next 10 years. Durkham

University, UK. Page 9, 2013.

3. C. Mawere & T.P. Mpofu. Profile Impostoring : A Use Case on the Rising Social

Engineering Attack on Facebook Users. Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University

Hyderabad, India. Page 3, 2012.

4. Uses and Gratification Theory Article Retrieved on 20th March 2015 on

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uses_and_gratifications_theory

5. M. Conti, R. Poovendran & M. Secchiero. Fakebook : Detecting Fake Profile in On-line

Social Network. University of Padua, Italy and University of Washington, USA. Page 1,

2012.

facebook impersonation research

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