How to tell if a warning is a hoax

VIRUS WARNING !!!!!!!
Multiple exclamation marks. Forwarded from somewhere else.

If you receive an email titled "It Takes Guts to Say 'Jesus'" DO NOT open it.
Claims that it is spread by e-mail.

It will erase everything on your hard drive. Forward this letter out to as many people as you can.
Request to pass it along. In fact this hoax requests that you pass it along four times.

This is a new, very malicious virus and not many people know about it. This information was announced yesterday morning from IBM; 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. Yet another request to spread it further.

Also, do not open or even look at any mail that says "RETURNED OR UNABLE TO DELIVER." This virus will attach itself to your computer components and render them useless. Immediately delete any mail items that say this. AOL has said that this is a very dangerous virus and that there is NO remedy for it at this time.
Reference to an organization that has nothing to do with viruses. Claims it is undectable or there is no cure.

Please practice cautionary measures and forward this to all your online friends ASAP.
Yet another request to spread it further.

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. YES
7. Claims that it is undetectable or that there is no cure. YES
8. Overly technical details that don't make sense. NO
9. Spelling and grammar mistakes. NO
10. Being self-contradictory. NO

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