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| 7 Fantastic Internet Hoaxes | |
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| Topic Started: Oct 26 2008, 10:10 PM (79 Views) | |
| Deleted User | Oct 26 2008, 10:10 PM Post #1 |
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Deleted User
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7 Fantastic Internet Hoaxes Despite our increasing technological sophistication, we can't help falling for email about Bigfoot, giant mutant cats, doomed tourists, and deadly butt spiders. By Alice LaPlante InformationWeek October 25, 2008 07:00 AM “Admit it. Even you, a savvy veteran e-mail user, have fallen for one or more of these Internet rumors. Or, even if you weren't quite sure of the veracity of a particular story or photograph, you e-mailed it to your friends to amuse/warn them, or to see what they thought. Don't be embarrassed, you're not alone. Despite our increasing technological sophistication, we seem to be as susceptible as ever to people determined to make suckers of us. After all, Internet hoaxes play on our human, not technical, vulnerabilities. "These hoaxes use social engineering to trick people into doing what they otherwise wouldn't do," said Patrick Runald, chief security advisor for F-Secure, an Internet security firm. Graham Cluley, a senior security analyst with Sophos, a London-based security vendor, agreed. "The most successful hoaxes have been the ones that people had a real compulsion to forward. These things can't travel unless humans participate. And, unlike anti-virus software, we haven't found a way to upgrade the human brain," said Cluley. A lot of times these hoaxes are based on engendering fear -- such as the virus hoaxes that periodically sweep over the Internet (keep reading). "At other times, they play off people's curiosity or vanity, or even desire to help others. In any case, although some might originate in a sense of lighthearted fun, "many are far from being harmless pranks," said Runald. "They can take a real financial and emotional toll." http://www.informationweek.com/news/internet/security/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=211300532 |
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| Trotsky | Oct 27 2008, 01:39 AM Post #2 |
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Big City Boy
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Toodles, I can honestly say that I've never participated. Since I realized early on in my compture life how annoying this nonsense is when I received it, I always thought of the recipient and dutifully clicked the DELETE button while muttering under my breath about the stupidity of the sender. But I'll admit that I might have been tempted to send on #2, the one about about banning Christian nonsense from television since the idea is such a good one. But nobody ever sent me that one. |
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| Deleted User | Oct 27 2008, 07:23 PM Post #3 |
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Deleted User
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I know what you are saying Trotsky. I get those virus warnings too and I reply with a "send all" to the list showing which should never be visible, that it is a hoax and when anyone receives this nonsense to please delete and not forward to anyone ... guess what next morning I am staring at 10 of them to delete & it dribbles in all day long. Posted ImagePosted Image |
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