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LOEWE-emergenCITY: Computer Security Day - how we can protect ourselves from disinformation and cyberattacks
For 36 years, Computer Security Day on November 30 has been drawing attention to IT security and the risk of cyberattacks. Since then, the risk of information and cyber warfare has been on the rise. Christian Reuter, member of the LOEWE Center emergenCITY's Board of Directors, deals with these topics. To mark the day of action, emergenCITY is presenting two of its current research interests.
“We thought for a long time that we had overcome wars in Europe,” says Christian Reuter, Professor of Computer Science in the Department of Science and Technology for Peace and Security (PEASEC) at TU Darmstadt. “But information warfare and cyber warfare are on the rise.” His team is investigating how information technology influences warfare and how it can lead to peace. It is therefore about the connection between peace and security in virtual space.
Christian Reuter's work is closely linked to the LOEWE center emergenCITY, an interdisciplinary cooperation between the Technical University of Darmstadt, the University of Kassel and the Philipps University of Marburg. More than 90 scientists are researching resilient infrastructures that protect digital cities from crises and disasters.
Not deleting false information, but labeling and explaining it
One focus of his research work is on the topic of information warfare. Christian Reuter gives an example: “We are all familiar with false information that is not as demonstrably false or harmful as a computer virus. The aim is sometimes just to create uncertainty: people no longer know what to believe. Especially before elections, such as the general election in February, they are a danger because they can manipulate opinions.”
Social media promotes the spread of fake news, as content can be shared quickly. Deleting such content is often seen as censorship. Studies by Christian Reuter show that warnings with explanations are more effective, as users want to make their own decisions. A recent study investigated how young people can be supported with an app to recognize problematic content on TikTok.
And every individual can also help to close security gaps, says Christian Reuter, and gives a few simple tips for everyday practice: “Passwords shouldn't be too trivial and shouldn't be reused. Password managers help with organization. If two-factor authentication is possible, it should be used. And yes, every now and then you should connect your hard disk to back up your data.”
Further informatio
Book: Reuter (2024): Information Technology for Peace and Security – IT Applications and Infrastructures in Conflicts, Crises, War, and Peace; https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-44810-3 
; eBook ISBN: 978-3-658-44810-3
Cyber-War und Cyber-Peace: Christian Reuter in der Online-Ringvorlesung Cybersicherheit des Hessischen Ministerium des Innern, für Sicherheit und Heimatschutz https://stream.t-quadr.at/streams/1ff035fe-3761-4a40-98cf-e17535804a6d/recordings/99524/embed