In the context of the escalating information warfare that characterises contemporary society, the issue of the impact of disinformation on society is becoming increasingly pressing on an annual basis. Purpose: to identify the primary mechanisms through which false information impacts an individual and to propose methodologies for counteracting such effects. Results: the paper provides a hierarchical classification of fake news types. The most significant causes of psychological impact of such information on an individual have been identified and structured. The development of a system of recommendations for counteracting inaccurate information at the individual, societal and state levels has been undertaken. Practical significance: the research conducted will contribute to an increase in the level of psychological protection of citizens from dangerous information-psychological influences.