How to tell if a warning is a hoax

Newsgroup: soc.singles
Posted to group that has nothing to do with viruses.

Subject: VIRUS ALERT!!!
Multiple exclamation marks.

This is a new twist. Someone is sending out a very desirable screen-saver - the Budweiser Frogs. But if you download it, you will lose everything!!! Your hard drive will crash!!!
Multiple exclamation marks. Appears to be a claim of causing physical damage to hardware. It is impossible for a virus to damage hardware. Claims you get it just from downloading.

DO NOT DOWNLOAD THIS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!!! IT JUS WENT INTO CIRCULATION LESS THAN 48 HOURS AGO, AS FAR WE KNOW... BE CAREFUL. PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE. THANKS!
Multiple exclamation marks. Overuse of capitals. Doesn't give a date, just says 48 hours ago, so it will never expire. Request to pass it along. Just is spelled wrong.

BELOW IS WHAT THE SCREENSAVER OFFER WOULD LOOK LIKE! File: BUDSAVER.EXE (24643 bytyes) DL Time (28800 bps): 1 minute
Bytes is spelled wrong. Overuse of capitals.

If you download this, someone from the internet will get your screen name and password! Please send this to any names you can think of and remember NEVER download BUDDYLIST.ZIP
Claims you get it from downloading. Again requests to pass it on.

This is a new, very malicious virus and not many people know about it. This information was announced some 25 hours ago from Microsoft. Please share it with everyone that might access the internet. Once again, pass this along to EVERYONE in your address book so that this may be stopped.
Reference to an organization that has nothing to do with viruses. Doesn't give a date, just says 25 hours ago, so it will never expire. Requests to pass it on yet again.

Summary

  1. Posted to newsgroup(s) that have nothing to do with viruses. YES
  2. Multiple exclamation marks. YES
  3. Forwarded from somewhere else. YES
  4. A request to spread the warning further. YES
  5. Reference to the FCC or other place that has nothing to do with viruses. YES
  6. Claims you get it from reading email. NO
  7. Claims that it is undetectable or that there is no cure. YES
  8. Overly technical details that don't make sense. YES
  9. Spelling and grammar mistakes. YES
  10. Being self-contradictory. NO
This message displays 8 out of the 10 warning signs. Definitely a hoax.

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