Back to case studies
Intermediate45 min - 1 h

Fact-checking a viral claim

A dramatic flood photo, presented as taken “this morning in Lyon”, is shared thousands of times. Check the source, the image, the date and the spread.

Briefing

A post published at 7:02 am claims: “URGENT: Lyon under water this morning, authorities are hiding the scale of the disaster”. The photo shows a flooded street and a soldier statue submerged to the waist. The post reaches 12,000 shares in two hours. A regional newsroom’s fact-checking desk asks for a reasoned opinion before 11 am.

Fictional scenario and data, built on real techniques. .example domains and documentation IP ranges.

Objectives

  • Trace the image’s origin
  • Identify the real location
  • Check against independent data
  • Analyze the spreading account
  • Write a nuanced verdict

Tools used in real investigations

Google LensTinEye (tri par date)Yandex ImagesInVID-WeVerifyVigicrues / Météo-FranceWayback Machine
CyberXTEL
100% Free

Ready to put it into practice?

CyberXTEL is our free platform to train hands-on: certifications, CTFs and a dedicated cyber awareness space.

Discover CyberXTEL