Hoax Or Real? by Grandpa Chuck
Today in your mail you get another one of those "urgent" messages warning you about another virus that has been set loose on the Internet. Still another message tells you can get a coupon for $10 off at a favorite restaurant by just forwarding the message to 10 of your friends.
Have you ever forwarded one of these messages to "everyone" on your email list just to get back four or five messages telling you that the message is a hoax? What do you do then? Do you send off another message to the original group telling them that in fact you were taken in by yet another Internet Hoax? Do you just let it continue on from mailbox to mailbox receiving it back a few times yourself from others?
Why not become a "HOAX BUSTER". When you get a message warning of a virus or offering some great deal take a minute and check it out. If the message is a hoax reply to the sender and let them know. Don't just send these messages on anymore to fill the mailboxes of those on your mailing lists. How do you find out if the message is real or just another hoax?
Shown below are two excellent sites that contain information on "Virus Hoaxes" and "Internet Hoaxes".
This site is considered the industry standard information source for new virus hoaxes and false alerts.
Wonder if that virus warning is true? Or if
the thief really did that with his victim's toothbrush? Guide David Emery at About.com
knows.