Hoax

A hoax is a message, typically distributed via E-mail or newsgroups, which is written to deliberately spread fear, uncertainty and doubt. Just like the viruses they purport to describe, they are sent from user to user / s, slowing network and Internet traffic and causing damage ´per se´, by wasting users time and by prompting well meaning, (albeit unnecessary) clean up procedures. These messages may be regarding completely fictitious viruses and trojans, or they may be misleadingly warning users about legitimate programs (a common target of past hoaxes was screensavers and more recently, Windows utilities). Hoaxes prey on the lack of technical knowledge and the goodwill of all those that receive a hoax. Generally, hoaxes are warnings about threats to your computer. They tend to follow a standard pattern, and should you receive an e-mail that contains the following characteristics, view it with doubt, if not downright suspicion.