Fake Press Releases: How to Protect Yourself to Avoid Financial and Reputational Damage

The spread of fake press releases poses a growing threat to companies, with potentially severe consequences for both their stock price and reputation. To effectively guard against this risk, it is essential to strengthen cybersecurity, implement strict internal validation procedures, monitor online identity theft attempts, and rely on a secure public relations management platform. Discover the best practices to protect your corporate communications.

Strengthening Cybersecurity and Raising Team Awareness of Cyber Risks

Adopt Best Practices in Cybersecurity and Cyber Reputation

Companies must adopt robust cybersecurity and cyber reputation practices. This involves setting up strong protocols to secure information systems and raising employee awareness about the risks associated with fake press releases.

Regular training sessions should be held to teach staff how to spot phishing attempts and identity theft, which can lead to the dissemination of false information. For example, a mid-sized technology company would benefit from organizing practical workshops where teams learn to identify signs of fraudulent emails: unknown senders, spelling errors, requests for confidential information, etc. By placing employees in real-life scenarios, the company fosters a culture of vigilance-an essential condition for strengthening resilience against cyber threats.

Conduct Regular Audits and Address Vulnerabilities

Beyond awareness, it is crucial to conduct regular security audits to identify potential system and process weaknesses. This allows vulnerabilities that could be exploited to spread fake press releases to be addressed in advance.

These audits should cover both technical aspects (network, server, and workstation security) and organizational aspects (version validation procedures, access and authorization management). For instance, a large industrial company could commission a cybersecurity team to conduct a penetration test simulating an attack using a fake press release. Such real-world exercises help reveal blind spots in the defense system. Each identified vulnerability leads to concrete measures: strengthening passwords, segmenting access to distribution tools, securing exchanges with press agencies, and more.

For Optimal Cyber Protection:

• Raise team awareness through real-life scenarios
• Test system robustness by simulating attacks
• Define and implement a corrective action plan
• Make security a cornerstone of your corporate culture.

Implement Strict Internal Validation Procedures

Establish Multiple Verification Processes

To prevent leaks or fake documents originating from within the company, it is essential to secure the process of preparing and distributing official press releases. Multiple levels of review and validation should be put in place before publication.

The content must be reviewed and approved by various managers (communications, legal, executive management). For example, a listed company preparing to announce financial results would have its communications director scrutinize the clarity of the message, the CFO verify the accuracy of the figures, and the legal department ensure compliance with regulatory obligations. Finally, the executive management gives the green light after confirming alignment with overall strategy. At each stage, the identity of validators and the timestamp of approvals are recorded in a comprehensive communication tool like Wiztrust PR and secured with a blockchain-based  certification tool such as Wiztrust Protect for total traceability.

Foster a Culture of Transparency and Accountability

Beyond formal procedures, fostering a company culture based on transparency and individual responsibility is key to preventing internal risks related to fake press releases. Every employee must be aware of their role and the potential impact of their actions on the company’s reputation.

This involves promoting ethical values, highlighting exemplary behavior, and clearly defining everyone’s responsibilities. For example, a pharmaceutical company involved in vaccine research could create a communications code of conduct emphasizing scientific rigor, transparency in clinical trials, and compliance with health authorities. This code would be distributed to all new hires, accompanied by training and a commitment charter. Ethics advisors would be appointed to answer questions, and management would lead by example, encouraging responsible behavior and applying sanctions for non-compliance. Gradually, a true culture of ethical communication will take root, strengthening both internal and external trust.

For a Robust and Ethical Validation Process:

Monitor Online Identity Theft Attempts

Set Up Alerts for Brand Mentions

Constant monitoring of the web and social networks is necessary to quickly detect any attempt at identity theft aimed at spreading fake press releases in the company’s name. Monitoring tools should be set up to track brand and executive mentions.

Alerts for the creation of similar domain names or social accounts impersonating the company enable swift response. For example, a retail chain facing a rumor about contaminated products could monitor Twitter mentions and spot tweets from accounts impersonating the brand, amplifying the rumor with false alarming information. Thanks to the alert, the company can immediately report the fake accounts to the platform, communicate via its official channels to set the record straight, and track the rumor’s spread to adapt its response. Without real-time monitoring, the damage could have been much greater, escalating the crisis.

Report Impersonation to Shut Down Accounts

If a fake website or social account is detected, immediate reporting procedures must be initiated with the relevant hosts and platforms to request their closure.

Acting quickly helps contain the spread and regain control over communications. Imagine a fake website mimicking a bank, publishing a press release announcing severe financial difficulties. Upon detection, the institution contacts the host with screenshots and legal documentation to demand closure. Simultaneously, it issues a denial on its real website and social channels, providing evidence of its stability. It also monitors for further spread of the false information to respond as needed. Thanks to rapid action, the destabilization attempt is quickly neutralized.

To counter online identity theft:

• Set up continuous monitoring for mentions
• Configure alerts for suspicious domains and accounts
• Immediately report impersonation to hosts and networks
• Actively communicate through official channels with verified facts
• Track the spread to adapt actions as needed

As highlighted in a crisis communication article, the faster a company responds to rumors, the less likely negative media fallout will tarnish its image.

Choose an All-in-One PR Platform for Peace of Mind

Advantages of a Unified Tool for Secure Press Release Distribution

With the proliferation of distribution channels and the acceleration of information flows, relying on an integrated public relations management solution like Wiztrust PR is a major asset. This allows the entire process-drafting, validation, distribution, and impact tracking-to be centralized within a single tool.

This unification provides better control at every stage and prevents information from being scattered across unsecured emails and servers. For example, a large agri-food group managing multiple brands can centralize all press releases from its subsidiaries in Wiztrust PR, securing validations through an integrated workflow: each brand director validates their releases, then the group’s communications department conducts a global review before distribution. Traceability is total. In case of an account intrusion attempt, the group can immediately cut off access. If a suspicious release is still distributed, the group can quickly identify the source and prove its fraudulent nature, thanks to the tool’s secure version history.

Testimonials from Communications Directors (Operational and Strategic Benefits)

Communications directors using a platform like Wiztrust PR daily confirm both operational and strategic gains from this unified approach.

Operationally, having qualified media contacts, releases, press coverage, and performance indicators all in one environment saves valuable time. As a tech company’s communications director notes: “We used to spend hours searching for the latest release versions in emails, manually consolidating coverage, and updating media lists in different files. With Wiztrust PR, all the information is at our fingertips, easily accessible to the team-even when working remotely. It’s a game-changer and lets us focus on higher-value tasks.”

Strategically, this 360° view provides unparalleled control over communications. The communications director has timely insights to adjust reputation strategy and make the right decisions. “Integrated reporting lets us measure media sentiment in real time across topics. If we detect false information, we can quickly adapt our communication with key journalists and influencers, leveraging a detailed view of our relationships. Being able to calmly manage our reputation in sensitive situations is a huge asset!” says a banking group’s communications director.

Benefits of a unified PR platform at a glance:

In conclusion, to effectively guard against fake communications and protect your reputation, it is essential to act on several complementary fronts: cybersecurity, internal procedures, digital identity monitoring, and suitable technological solutions. By relying on an integrated, secure PR management platform, communications directors gain daily peace of mind and responsiveness in emergencies. This approach is crucial in an era where information circulates rapidly and fake news can spread in an instant.