WHAT IS A HOAX?

Computer Hoaxes are unvalidated warnings of computer viruses and Trojans.  They are time consuming and costly to handle, even though they do not infect systems.

Computer Hoaxes can be eliminated if internet users would:
    1. Know how to identify a Hoax
    2. Know how to identify a valid warning of a computer   virus.
    3. Know what to do if you think a message is a hoax.

If the warning uses technical sounding language, it can often be mistaken for an authentic warning of a virus. But with careful interpretation, the language used is often found to be misleading and incorrect.  In other words, just because it sounds "technical" does not make it accurate.

Credibility by association is another mistake that promotes successful hoaxes.  Just because the warning comes from a prestigious technological company, doesn't necessarily mean that it came from the professionals that work there.  It could very well have come from a janitor who has no clue what he is talking about. VALIDATE A WARNING DO NOT circulate virus warnings without first checking with an authoritative source, such as your computer system security administrator or different response teams such as CIAC, CERT, ASSIST, NASIRC.  If you download a warning from a teams web site you can usually be assured that the warning is real.  Warnings without the name of the person sending the original notice, or warnings with names, addresses and phone numbers that do not actually exist are probably hoaxes. WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU THINK A MESSAGE IS A HOAX WHEN IN DOUBT, DO NOT SEND IT OUT TO THE WORLD!  Most anti-virus companies have a web page containing information about most known viruses and hoaxes.  You can also check the web site of the company that produces the product that is supposed to contain the virus and check for the version that supposedly has the virus.  Another useful web site which contains descriptions of several known hoaxes is the "Computer Virus Myths home page"

SOME WELL KNOWN HOAXES AND SITES THAT HAVE INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THEM ARE:

Good Times Virus Hoax

Blue Mountain Cards

Computer Incident Advisory Capability page