Most of us have received chain letters, hoaxes, or urban legends. None of these are damaging to your computer (like a virus). But, they are annoying, sometimes disturbing, and usually inaccurate.
If you receive a hoax, chain letter, or an urban legend – DON’T PASS IT ON to your friends or family! It will junk up their inbox, annoy them, or, possibly alarm them unnecessarily. If you suspect an email may be a hoax, investigate before you pass it on to others.
An easy way to research a possible hoax is to go to Google or Yahoo and type in a description of the message you believe may be a hoax. Read through the results to decide if it may be a hoax. You could also visit the website of Hoax Busters -- http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org
Here are some examples of hoaxes:
- You will receive a case of M&Ms for forwarding this to 5 friends…
- Bill Gates will send you money…
- Email and or the Internet is about to be taxed.
- Don’t open an e-mail named “Jesus saves”…
- Budweiser frogs will destroy your hard drive…
- Write your congressman – the congress is trying to pass a law charging 5 cents per email…
- Needles infected with AIDs found in telephone booth…
|
|
 |
|
