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Internet Security

How To Identify a Computer Virus Hoax

One way to check on a virus to see if it might be a hoax is to check the following list. Popular virus hoaxes include: Iraq war hoax, internet flower hoax, intel special offer hoax, ICE virus mobile phone hoax, happy new year hoax, guts to say Jesus hoax, great gas out hoax, got you hoax, good times hoax, girls of Playboy Hoax, girl thing hoax, ghost exe hoax, fun prog hoax, good times hoax, ghost exe hoax, Zlatko, your friend D@fit, Y2Kgame, WTC survivor hoax, wobbler hoax, work hoax, win a holiday hoax, Windows 98 warning hoax, welcome to the matrix hoax, valentine greeting hoax, W32 torch hoax, WASUP hoax, unable to deliver hoax, tax return hoax, Phantom Menace hoax, pool party hoax, unable to deliver hoax, Irina hoax, join the crew hoax, joke flipped hoax, and many others

There are many viruses out there on the Internet, but many of them are not viruses, but are simply hoaxes. However, there have been cases in the past of a hoax starting out harmless, and then having a Trojan horse added to it, making many people susceptible because what they thought was harmless is suddenly quite harmful indeed. Never ever open an email attachment unless you are sure of it and know who it came from. If an attachment is suspicious, don’t open it.

There are many computer virus hoaxes out there, some spread by well meaning people. For instance, an automotive writer responded to a letter about a supposed but non existent virus in the onboard computer of Lexus automobiles with how frightening the thought of one was to him, which spread across the Internet and may have damaged sales of Lexus cars without good reason. Another well known virus hoax that occurred recently and was started by well meaning people was the sheep.exe hoax. Well meaning people were warning others about the commercial program, creating undue fear and a virus alert. Another false story circulated that Blue Mountain greeting cards contained a virus, and many people ceased to do business with this company based on a hoax.

If worried about being deceived by a computer virus hoax, here are a few tips to help you spot the hoaxes in the future. First, did a real computer expert send you the alert; was it your mother in law or your Brother Fred’s best friend? If it looks like a hoax chain letter it probably is one. Next, does it urge you to forward the chain letter to everyone you know? If it does then chances are it is a hoax. Legitimate virus alerts will not ask you to participate in mass chaos. Finally does the email offer a details page link? If it is a real warning it will summarize the information and link to a well respected site for more details. Remember though that some hoaxsters will include links to real websites trying to make you think they are real. Check out the website by typing it into your browser and if it seems to be a hoax, it probably is.

Many people get duped by computer hoaxes, telling all of their friends about these modern urban legends with great, but false and misguided authority. Most duped users don’t want to admit they were fooled. Remember, it takes a strong ego to admit a mistake, so encourage your friends who were fooled to own up to it. Their intentions were good. Give them a chance to fess up and you’ll be amazed at how quickly many people will try to make amends. So that you too don’t get caught in the trap, don’t automatically assume that any email you receive is accurate. Most people on the Internet receive chain letter emails, and oddly enough many people send them on for fear of harming a relationship with the person who sent it. Stopping the chain and stopping the insanity is necessary. Hoaxes and myths will continue if people continue to play the game and send the chain letters along. Don’t be a link in the chain.

Finally, knowledge is the key to stopping hoaxes and myths. Stay information. Don’t believe everything you read or hear until you check it out with another source. Be a shepherd, not a sheep.

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SolveYourProblem.com : 2007

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