Pst... Pass It On... I Found Out Its a Hoax

When you receive an email telling you about a virus, what do you do with it? Do you send it to everyone in your address book to help them protect themselves too?

A virus warning is probably on its way to your inbox right now, claiming to be from a credible source and warning you of a dangerous virus on the loose. Beware. You might be tricked into taking part in an Internet hoax - chain mail virus alerts.

It is believed that 60% plus of the Virus Warnings in circulation are hoaxes. Further, your anti-virus software may already have a cure for this particular ailment IF it is real.

Even old hoaxes, which have been around for years, can make the rounds again, according to Trend Micro, an anti-virus software company.

'There are a number of new hoaxes because they are so easy to write, you don't need to be a programmer,' the anti-virus company spokesperson said.

What about all of those 'Get Paid to Send Email' schemes? Do you forward them along too, because you do not know if they are true or not, and figure 'why should I take the chance that it is not real?' These 'Get Paid to Send Email' schemes are a fine example of hoaxes that can make the rounds again and again.

There have been at least a dozen incarnations of a 'Get Paid to Send Email' hoax recorded at several of the hoax sites listed in this article. For the complete story, try the search terms 'Bill Gates' or 'Nike' or 'AOL / Microsoft' at any of the Hoax sites.

Let me cut to the chase, no one has the technology to track emails sent through the Internet! No one will ever pay you for sending emails to everyone in your address book! This story is a verified hoax.

Here is a list of Hoax Information Sites that you can check the validity of the warning or the message in your email inbox. You might just be surprised by which items are hoaxes and which are not.

For those people who don't know the tell-tale signs of hoaxes, here's a checklist:

  • IBM/Microsoft/Dell/Gateway have verified this. Does anyone think they care? They don't. If it said Norton, McAfee or any other antivirus vendor I might listen. If a virus killed your computer or software the above companies would be delighted because you'd have to buy more computers, and they would be delighted to sell you one.

  • Even if the email proclaims that one of the virus companies is verifying this virus, where is the link to the virus companies website, detailing the important information concerning this particular strain of virus?

  • Published on CNN. Again, where is the link? Could you find it yourself?

  • You'll never be able to use your computer again. Hogwash. If you got a virus the very worst case is that you'd have to format it and reinstall everything. And that's extremely rare anyway. No virus will harm your computer, only the software on it.

  • This virus damages/destroys Windows and McIntosh systems. More hogwash. These are two very different operating systems with very different ways of executing software.

  • Don't even open it! Yea right. 99.9% of virii are carried in attachments to emails not in the emails themselves. Use a bit of common sense and don't open any unexpected attachments from strange sources. And if you keep your AV software up to date, you're most often covered anyway. (The only email software not safe from some types of viruses are Outlook, Outlook Express, and Netscape 6. Users of Outlook and Outlook Express can visit http://www.kumite.com/myths for the patch to protect these email programs from imbedded vb-script viruses. Netscape 6 users can guarantee their own protection by turning off the JavaScripting feature inside of their Preferences.)

  • Forward to all your friends. Now we're down to the crutch of it. This email IS the virus - a social one. Look at the facts. It gets sent to all your friends. It infects peoples inboxes and causes panic. Sounds like a virus to me. It doesn't actually do any harm like most virii but is a waste of your time.

  • Verify these things yourself before forwarding them. To simplify the task of verification, there is a new freeware application on the market designed to help you do just that. It is called 'Quick Swords V' and it has been developed for you by a new company called InternetMusketeers.com. The 'V' stands for 'Virus'.

    Here is an overview of how the software works: 'Simply type in your Search Terms, then click on the Virus / Hoax Information Searches drop down list, and then select your choice for expert guidance on the subject of Viruses and Hoaxes. With Quick Swords V, we can help take the guesswork out of your decision making process. We are giving you direct access to the nearly immediate search results of 16 Virus / Hoax sites on the Internet.'

    Quick Swords V (virus) ships as Freeware, so you have no excuse not to verify the Virus information before sending it to everyone in your address book anymore. It only takes a minute to verify the latest juicy warning in your email box. I know your mouse finger is itching to click Forward, but your friends will Thank You for verifying this information before hitting Send!

    Instead, click here: http://www.kumite.com/myths

    I would like to thank the following people for assisting me in the gathering of the information presented in this article:

    • Steven McCarthy, Co-Owner of A Helping Hand at: http://learn.at/ahh

    • Christy, Co-Owner of http://Hackfix.org; a non-profit site dedicated to fighting worms and trojans

    • Mike Banks, the Owner of Mikes What's News at:

      Ancona limousine airport .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare
      In The News:

      Recent reports show many common passwords can be cracked in literally seconds. Kurt the CyberGuy explains how to strengthen your passwords.
      Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
      Iron, a robot that stands 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs 154 pounds, combines advanced artificial intelligence with human-like movement and exceptional vision.
      Hertz, the rental car giant, recently confirmed that customer information was exposed through a cyberattack on one of its software vendors.
      There are a number of features with AirPods you may or may not know about to take your listening experience to the next level. Kurt the CyberGuy explains.
      These 35 Chrome extensions have privacy and security concerns. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says to delete them now.
      Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says 329,000 mph fusion rocket promises to be fast, disruptive and enable deep-space missions.
      Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
      Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says a new autonomous AI is a game changer that also raises privacy risks. Is your data safe?
      Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says robots and drones are revolutionizing fruit farming with faster picking and smarter handling.
      Landmark Admin revises May 2024 cyberattack scope to show twice as many people were affected. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson gives tips to help stay safe from an insurance data breach.
      Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson talks about how Yamaha’s hydrogen outboard motor could revolutionize boating with zero emissions.
      Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson reveals how to memorialize or remove a deceased loved one’s Facebook account and protect their digital legacy from misuse or scams.
      Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says an Apple Watch saved psychiatrist Amanda Faulkner by detecting deadly leukemia early.
      Scammers and fraudsters are increasingly targeting the most vulnerable, especially nursing homes and the personal data of their residents. Kurt the CyberGuy has safety tips.
      Infected USB flash drives can spread malware among multiple organizations in ways that can easily bypass traditional security systems.
      With a fully automated warehouse system and AI-powered robots, Ocado's Hive picks, packs and delivers grocery store orders in just a few minutes.
      Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
      Recycling robots are using artificial intelligence to learn how to sort recyclables by recognizing patterns in colors, textures, shapes and logos.
      The Reachy 2 robot is designed to be friendly and approachable, inviting natural interaction and is perfect for research, education and experimenting with embodied AI.
      Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson shares several easy ways to keep your credit cards safe from digital thieves while you're traveling this summer.
      Arcturus sets up cameras around the edges of baseball stadiums to capture real-time action and generate a 3D digital clone of the game.
      Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
      The CyberGuy explains why healthcare organizations are vulnerable to hackers after there have been a half dozen data breaches this year.
      Developed at two California universities, the innovative technology combines brain-computer interfaces with advanced AI to decode neural activity into audible speech.
  • Get Your News Releases Through the Spam Filters in 11 Easy Steps

    In today's spam-filled email world, it's sometimes VERY difficult to... Read More

    What To Do When You Get Spam

    When you go to your mailbox and find pieces of... Read More

    Having a Bad e MALE Day? Email, Spam, Spam and More Spam

    You just sat at your desk, opened your email account... Read More

    The Great Spam Scam: Five Strategies To Stop Brand and Revenue Robbery

    Marketers usually think of anti-spam tactics as 'how to prevent'... Read More

    FTC Botches Fight on SPAM, Microsoft Takes Over the Battle

    While the Federal Trade Commission is busy fighting over definitions... Read More

    Evict the Spammers from Your Inbox

    Block Spam and Other Email Threats From Entering Your Gateway... Read More

    Why Your ISP Takes Bribes From Spammers

    The lifeblood of the spammer is email. They need to... Read More

    The Business Of Sending Spam

    You all tear your hair out in frustration every time... Read More

    Spam eMails Are Not Just Annoying - They Are A Main Distributor Of Viruses

    Why is someone from India, Africa, or elsewhere writing you... Read More

    All About Spam

    Spam is annoying. Period. Why people would want to send... Read More

    Stuffing the Spammers!

    I'm really, truly fed up with spam. Every day when... Read More

    How to Write a Privacy Policy

    A Privacy Policy can be defined as the policy under... Read More

    The Anti Spam Challenge ? Minimizing False Positives

    Email is the quintessential business communication tool, so when it... Read More

    Challenge Response Spam Filters Explained

    As the flood of spam increases end users are looking... Read More

    How To Analyze A Rip-Off Scheme

    This review is taken DIRECTLY from a piece of "junk... Read More

    Beware of the Newest Activity Online: Phishing

    No. I'm not talking here about the outdoor activity enjoyed... Read More

    How Spammers Fool Rule-based and Signature-Based Spam Filters

    Effectively stopping spam over the long-term requires much more than... Read More

    Spamicide: Man Spammed to Death While Checking His E-mail

    Death by spam is now possible with a new device... Read More

    The Fastest Delete Finger in the Midwest!

    There are hundreds of thousands of people who are trying... Read More

    Block Spam with An Easy Behavioral Change

    E-mails now have a connection back to their servers. I... Read More

    How to Fight Back BEFORE Youre Falsely Accused of Spam

    A friend of mine received a chilling email message from... Read More

    Corporate Email Policies Lower Unnecessary Legal and Security Risks

    What comes to your mind when you think about your... Read More

    A Practical Approach to Eliminate Spam

    Spam is out of control! I guess that would be... Read More

    Internet Theft and Fraud

    My friends in the web hosting business have recently informed... Read More

    How You Can Avoid The New Dangers Of Spam

    Until recently, spam has been an annoyance, a definite load... Read More

    Buffalo Grove cheapest limo ..