Computer and Email Hoaxes
and Hoaxbusters
by Dave Clingman
 

Published in Guadalajara Reporter,
July 31, 2009, page 22

You've probably received one of those common emails that commands you to forward that email to everyone you know.  It might have told you about a poor child who has a life threatening disease, asking your help for the child.  Or perhaps it promised you money from some big U.S. company if you forward the email to everyone you know.  Or maybe it warned you about some new virus that even the best antivirus programs can't find.

Those are all examples of hoaxes.  A hoax is an email that talks about something that sounds real but is actually a lie.  Here are some telltale signs that an email is a hoax:  (1) It tells you to forward it to many different people always with (2) a high degree of urgency.  (3) It claims to be absolutely true and not a hoax.  (4) It probably warns of dire consequences for yourself or someone else if you don't act.  And of course, (5) the forwarding marks (>>>>) show that others have already been conned by this hoax.

Such hoax chain mails will draw you in by playing to your greed, guilt, fear or sympathy.  This makes you want to read the rest of the email, which eventually urges you to send a copy to all your friends and family.  The hoax will usually promise you either a great reward for doing so or a horrible doom if you don't.

How can you be sure if a specific email is a hoax or the truth?  There are several websites that specialize in this kind of information.  Two of the best are www.hoaxbusters.org, which has a BIG list of hoax emails in alphabetical order, and www.breakthechain.org, which categorizes the hoaxes by content.  Both websites are searchable and have other general information on hoaxes, as well.  So, if you receive a questionable email, go to one of these websites and search for the wording of the Subject Line of the email you received.  Chances are great that you will find that email already listed, along with several variations.

What should you do when you someone forwards an email to you?  First, confirm that it is a hoax by searching one of the previously mentioned websites.  Then inform the friend who sent you the email and educate them about hoaxes.  If an email moves you to donate money, select a charity or organization you know about personally.  Always practice safe computing, including using an anti-malware program and a firewall, and always be wary of opening any email attachment.

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