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Public links to this specific page:
http://www.korova.com/virus/hoax_faq.htm




Previous "Hoax du Jour" columns

The "Hoax du Jour" Index

A More Wretched Hive of Scum & Villainy

Children's Crusade

Lingering Misinformation

Viral marketing is Now.

The Grinch is Real

Call Now!
(Int'l phone scams)

"You're Never Gonna Believe This..."

The Word Macro Spam 'Bot

Calls to Overreaction

Remote Explorer of My Eye

Internet Access Charges & Taxation

The Fear of AIDS (Needles)

Toxic Tampons

Death Threats and Disney Trips

The AOL Hacker Riot II

The "90# Phone Scam" Alert

E-j-mail Extortion

Phone Slamming

AOL Cookie





Click here for the "Hoax du Jour" top-level page.

Related topic: you know what e-mail is. But do you know what "e-v-mail" is?

Related topic: rate your own Internet alert (or just-received warning from a well-meaning friend) against the Korova Drop-dead Internet Alert guide.

Computer virus protection If you're not using anti-virus software, you need to consider getting some, and soon. Click here to choose some from Amazon.com. If you're connected to the Internet with an "always on," broadband connection (cable modem or DSL), consider getting some firewall software, or a hardware solution for your entire home network.


About the "Hoax du Jour"

The "Hoax du Jour" is a recurring column providing updated information and commentary on the Internet community. It is a feature of Korova Multimedia's "e-v-mail" page.

What is a "hoax du jour?" With the advent of widespread use of the Internet as a medium for sharing information, the phenomenon of sharing misinformation has exploded. Conventional urban folklore and propaganda have blossomed on the Internet. Intentionally misleading information is broadcast on a professional and personal level.

On the Web, misinformation wants to be free. It also likes to be free of authenticity and corroboration, when such grounding deflates the credibility of the content.

The result? Naive users of the Internet are subjected to a daily barrage of data that are erroneous, slanderous, and sometimes even destructive. This page is dedicated to discussing intentional misinformation, or 'Net hoaxes.

Disclaimer The opinions expressed here are entirely my own, and do not reflect policy or intentions of any persons, groups or companies referred to or linked from this site. I, my guest writers, or Korova Multimedia are not responsible for content or sites linked to from the "Hoax du Jour" column.


Kudos and links for
the "Hoax du Jour"

About.com
("Best of the Net")

Computer Virus Myths
(recommendation)

The Curse of a Thousand Chain Letters
(recommendation)

Lycos Guide: Urban Legends
(Top Rated Site)

The Motley Fool
("striking a blow for rationality")

ProjectCool
(March, 2001)

Suite101.com
("three stars")


Also on Korova.com

Clean the hoax-y taste from your mouth with Nonstop Anonymous Monotonous Onomatopoeia, just for fun.

Get a fresh perspective with Korova Truth.

Think outside, way outside, of the box at ChromeJob.com.





Other anti-hoax resources

Korova Multimedia: "e-v-mail"

Rob Rosenberger:
Computer Virus Myths

DoE CIAC - Hoaxbusters

Barbara Mikkelson:
Urban Legends Reference Pages

David Emery:
About.com guide to Urban Legends & Folklore

HoaxKill Service


Urban legend and computer security books

by Jan Harold Brunvand
Click to order this title from Amazon.com
The Baby Train
The Choking Doberman
Curses! Broiled Again!
The Mexican Pet
The Truth Never Stands In The Way Of A Good Story

also:
Computer Security Basics (O'Reilly)

... or search Amazon.com for more books about hoaxes and urban legends...


Sponsor links:


The FAQ du Jour

What is the "Hoax du Jour?"

A recurring series of articles commenting on the phenomena of rumor and misinformation, on the Internet. It is a feature of Korova Multimedia's "e-v-mail" page. The column was first published in late 1997.

What topics are discussed in the "Hoax du Jour?"

Most columns deal with virus hoaxes and 'Net rumors, including "cyberban legends."

I can't find a particular topic....

Please review the "Hoax du Jour" index.

Where else can I find information about hoaxes and 'Net rumors?

I list several great sites for further reading and researching on the left column of each "Hoax du Jour" article, under "Other anti-hoax resources."

Does this site discuss unsolicited, commercial e-mail?

No, I generally don't investigate financial opportunities or "e-j-mail." I do discuss certain kinds of marketing scams that exploit the same gullibility that virus hoaxes and cyberban legends do. (The difference is that someone is using a hoax to make money, rather than just to create mischief.)

Who writes the "Hoax du Jour?"

David Spalding, the webmaster of Korova.com. You can read more about me on my personal page.

Are you an authority on this stuff?

Not necessarily. I've been involved with the Internet on and off since 1982. I've written professionally about online cultural trends and developments since around 1992. Some of my investigative skills were honed as an intelligence specialist in the U.S. Coast Guard.

The opinions expressed here are entirely my own. And make no mistakes, they're opinions, not gospel. Please remember to make up your own mind based on all the information that I provide.

Why do you write it?

Good question! The aim of this column is to dispel misinformation and encourage healthy skepticism among the Internet community. I'm also outraged that members of the Internet community willfully generate hoaxes and scarelore for mischievious purposes.

Do you write anything else?

Lots of stuff. Try some of the links at the bottom of each Korova.com page.

If you find the "Hoax du Jour" interesting, you should really read my "e-v-mail" page.

Can you answer a question for me via e-mail?

Due to the volume of e-mail that I receive, I can't respond to every message that is sent to me (sorry), but I do read all my e-mail.

Can you tell me if an e-mail I just got is a hoax?

I invite readers to send me hoaxes/rumors that they receive, but I can't provide personalized answers.

Please review the index for a similar hoax/rumor, or search on the sites listed in the left column, under "Other anti-hoax resources." If you still need to ask me, please accept that it may take me 10-20 business days to reply.

I got a message from my ISP that my e-mail to you couldn't be delivered. Why?

I've recently had to change some mail addresses on my site due to excessive "e-j-mail." Please use one of the e-mail the links on these pages. You can review my contact page for more information about e-mail to Korova.com.

Can I republish any of your columns?

All pages on Korova.com are copyrighted, all rights reserved. You can contact me if you're interested in one-time, serial rights or an interview. I do not authorize any web sites to copy my pages, and reserve the right to take any action necessary in the event that a site violates my copyright.

May I send one of your pages to a friend?

Please do not. I update these columns with new information on a regular basis, so please send your friend the URL (http://...) instead. You'll find the direct URL to each article at the top-left under "Public links to this specific article."

I make this stipulation so that my own columns don't become e-mail "forwardables," too!

This FAQ didn't answer my question....

Please e-mail me and let me know what this FAQ didn't answer for you. I'd like to keep it current. :)


David Spalding
Last update: 04 March 2002


© Copyright 1999 D.B. Spalding/Korova Multimedia. All rights reserved.

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