Presently free access to a huge number of information fight for human minds began to be conducted in this sphere. Giving to society necessary materials and news, it is possible to control social moods and aspirations of the prevailing number of the population.
What is information war?
The term information war was initially used in the American military circles. Information war is a psychological pressure upon all society or its part. Skillful submission of necessary information helps to create certain moods and to cause reaction. The first data on the mentioned type of war are dated back the 50th years the 19th centuries and concern the Crimean war.
Information war can be waged both in the state, and between the different countries and is a part of difficult process of confrontation. Presence of information pressure upon society is an indicator of secret political actions or preparation for any changes. She does not demand big financial investments and efforts. The effectiveness of information war depends on competently made propaganda leaning on feelings and desires of members of society.
Signs of information war
The essence of information war consists in influence on society by means of information. Treat signs of information war:
- restriction of access to certain information: closing of web resources, television programs, printing editions;
- emergence of various information sources with identical information;
- creation of a negative psychological background on specific questions;
- emergence in the society of emotional tension;
- penetration of the spread information into various spheres of society: policy, culture, business, education.
Information war - the myth or reality
Information wars between the countries became an everyday occurrence. Though use in the military conflicts of information promotion is known since the 19th century, special force took this form of war at the end of the 20th century. It is connected with increase in quantity of information resources: newspapers, magazines, telecasts, web resources. The more society in free access has information, the it is easier to carry out information promotion.
For conducting information war there is no need to overpersuade people or to impose them the point of view. It is necessary just to make so that the inspired information caught sight as often as possible and did not cause rejection. At the same time the person can not suspect that he became the participant of information influence. For conducting information war employ the experts having profound knowledge on marketing, social psychology, policy and history.
Purposes of information war
Conducting information war is one of components of policy of many states. Battle for human minds is not end in itself, and belongs to a package of measures for maintaining safety of the state or for influence on citizens of other state. Proceeding from it, information war has such purposes:
- safety of the state;
- maintenance of patriotic sentiments;
- influence on citizens of other state for the purpose of misinformation and achievement of definite purposes.
Types of information war
Information war can be applied among military and among civilians. For this purpose one of types of information war or a complex of actions can be used. Treat types of information opposition:
- Information war on the Internet - is offered different and often the contradictory information applied to complication of the opponent.
- Psychological operations – selection and submission of such information which sounds as a counterargument on the moods existing in society.
- Misinformation – advance of false information for the purpose of the direction of the enemy party on the wrong trace.
- Destruction – physical destruction or blocking of the electronic systems important for the opponent.
- Security measures – strengthening of protection of the resources for the purpose of saving plans and intentions.
- The direct information attacks – mixture of false and accurate information.
Methods of conducting information war
Information War is called Cold because it results in desirable results without use of weapons. There are such methods of information war among civilians:
- Participation of authorities. The essence of this method consists in support of necessary actions or slogans by the famous authoritative people.
- Exact statements. Desirable slogans move as absolutely true and not demanding proofs.
- The won party. To society suggest to choose the decision which moves as the best and is advantageous.
- This method is often applied in slogans and sounds as the exact instruction to action.
- Substitution of a source of information. When it is impossible to stop penetration of undesirable information, her author call a source which does not enjoy confidence at society.
Information war and promotion
Information war is effectively applied in the political sphere. Applicants for a position battle against its help for votes. Considering the fact that most of voters has no access to true information, are applied to influence on them technology of psychological influence. Information war in media is a popular way of influence on society. Besides in political propaganda the method of substitution of information, distortion of reality, coercion, participation of authorities can be used.
How to be protected from information war?
Information war is used in different spheres, but its purpose always remains to a constant: to affect public opinion. Vestie counteraction to information war is not easy, manipulations and promotion are developed by experienced experts. Not to fall a victim of information influence, it is necessary to consider on a matter of concern opinions of different people and to involve versatile sources of information. Understanding a difficult situation, it is worth answering such questions:
- What reverse of the medal of the matter?
- To whom can influence by means of this information be favorable?
- As far as the case in point is opened from the different parties?
- Whether there are a logical chain and proofs in this occasion or direct suggestion, coercion and impact on emotions is conducted?
Information wars in the modern world
Thanks to modern technologies the information wars of our time can be waged worldwide. At the same time there was an opportunity to create the reality untrue. Modern world information wars are waged both between the states, and in the state, between politicians, the companies, the organizations, religious denominations. As the main weapon in information war media act. Complete control over them allows to submit to society only that information which will create a necessary view of a problem.
All fighting in the modern world is lit in media so that to show need of warfare and to create a negative at warring parties. The recent military conflicts in Syria and Ukraine are bright examples of that. Information war and terrorism are also directly connected among themselves. It is not possible to understand what really happens between warring parties to the ordinary person.
Information wars in policy
Political struggle is conducted between political parties, the organizations and other political institutes. The information war in this sphere happens constantly, but amplifies before elections to governmental bodies. Impact on society by means of information is conducted so that members of society did not notice it and considered that make the choice independently.
Modern information wars in policy set as the purpose to discredit the opponent in the opinion of the public and to create necessary opinion at members of society. For the solution of these tasks employ specialists in information diversions – ayvorshchik who make an attack on the opponent by means of different information sources. The main methods of information attacks are: installation, rumors, myths, threat, bluff, twisting of information.
Information war in business
Information war in the system of business is applied to weakening of the position of any corporation or the enterprise. For conducting opposition in this sphere the opponent tries to collect as much as possible information on work of the company with which he competes. Special attention is paid to weaknesses of the opponent. They are made public in the exaggerated look, showing insolvency of work of the company.
Information war - consequences
Consequences of information wars can have an effect already on the beginning of fight. It is impossible to be protected from information influence as it gets into all spheres of human activity. The essence of information war consists in pressure upon society therefore members of society get the distorted idea of reality and have no opportunity to draw the correct conclusions and to make the right decisions.
The party which lost in information war can suffer such consequences:
- transition of parts of structure under department of the winner;
- total or partial destruction of structure;
- destruction of that part of structure which is not necessary to the winner;
- decrease in operability of a system;
- destruction of security systems of the struck party.