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Viruses and Hoaxes

How to Spot an Email Virus Hoax

1. Almost any chain email you receive (i.e., any message forwarded multiple times) is more likely to be false than true. Be skeptical.
2. Look for the telltale phrases, "Forward this to everyone you know", "This is not a hoax" or "This is not an urban legend."
3. Look for overly emphatic or emotional language, the frequent use of UPPERCASE LETTERS and multiple exclamation points!!!!!!!
4. Look for inconsistencies. Does is sound logical or realistic?
5. Check for references to authoritative sources. Many hoaxers will quote sources, but neglect to cite why this person is an expert. Example: "John Smith, doctor, says that you can get warts by picking up a toad." If John Smith is a doctor, what are his credentials? What institution (hospital, university or practice, for example) is he associated with? Is there a link or citation to a reputable newspaper, journal or magazine?
6. Check to see if the message has been debunked by Websites that cover Internet hoaxes. (See links below.) Several Internet Sites to Check for Virus Hoaxes

• About.com Urban Legends Urban Legends arranged by category, including the top 25 from the previous week.
• CIAC from the Department of Energy's Computer Incident Advisory Capability. CIAC is an element of the Computer Security Technology Center (CSTC) and is located at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
• Snopes.com Covers many urban legends, debunking them or affirming them, with sources cited at the end of each writeup.
• Symantec AntiVirus Research Center From the makers of Norton AntiVirus and Norton Utilities. This site allows you to search for viruses or hoaxes by name.
• Virus Myths Homepage Web site maintained by Rob Rosenberger, a noted computer security expert. Rob lists all sorts of virus hoaxes, media stories, and histories of virus hoaxes.

Page last updated: 07/11/2001