How to Recognize a Hoax
- Hoaxes are almost always sent by email.
- They have no file attachments or references to a third party.
- Most hoaxes contain warnings about a fictitious virus or a malicious software
program and its devastating consequences.
- Some hoaxes resort to people's sympathy and need of helping other persons.
Other, just underline the possibility of money reward if the message is sent
to other people a certain number of times: "Forward this message to get
a free .... !" or "Pass this warning to everyone so that...".
On the contrary, some hoaxes mention that misfortunes may happen if the message
is not forwarded: e.g. Microsoft, Bill Gates, Disney hoaxes, etc.
 |
Note: There is less probable that someone will trace the path of every forwarded
message on the Internet and keep a record of the number of the copies sent.
It is just a mere farce. |
- Contain pseudo technical details describing a virus.
- Include false information from well know or official entities such as FBI,
software companies, banks, etc.
- Hoax messages encourage or urge addressees to forward them to as many people
as possible: "Send this to everyone you know".
 |
Note: No real company will send a warning
message asking you to forward it to other people! |
- Hoaxes always sound real and credible, giving the impression to be written
in a proper technical language. But with little research on Google,
one can discover term confusions, misspellings, etc.
Usually hoaxes want to delude by making appeal to people's credibility through
associations: they associate their names and malpractice to reputable and
trustworthy persons/companies which have already gained people' s confidence.
Click here to view examples of hoaxes
|