The Computer Chiropractor, Inc - Hoaxes and Urban Legends

There have always been urban legends and hoaxes out there. Remember the Alligators in the New York City Sewer System? A hoax! The Internet and Email have resulted in a substantial increase in these hoaxes & legends. Some of them are just silly (even funny), some nuisances (such as virus hoaxes), and some (in fact a greater number out there) are malicious and dangerous. Among the malicious hoaxes are lies about medical issues that result in people taking the wrong medicines, taking bogus medicines, or not taking needed medicines. This can result in illness, injury and death! Even The Washington Post talked about these hoaxes and legends in the Feb. 15, 2000 Health section in the E-Life column.

These hoaxes and legends are spread by unsuspecting people by email. They are trying to “help” or warn their friends but instead they are helping the pranksters who created these lies spread them. They get an email message warning them about these “viruses” or “new medical breakthroughs” or “warnings about medical issues”. The emails tell them to forward the warning to everyone they know… “to be good friends”.

Often the email states that news organizations such as CNN, government or health agencies such as The Centers for Disease Control, or NIH, or computer and technology companies such as IBM, AOL or Microsoft have confirmed the warning. These are usually lies. Other hoaxes are created about pending bills in The

House or Senate, that “will cost you money and freedom” (such as the internet phone connection charge). The purpose of these bills is to inspire people to send angry emails and letters to the House and Senate, thereby shutting down their computer and email operations, and flooding the mail rooms.

THE COMPUTER CHIROPRACTOR, INC., is one of many computer professionals that are trying to stem the tide of these hoaxes and lies. We have provided a list of links that you can follow to CHECK THE RUMOR OUT BEFORE YOU PASS IT ON!!

BOTH OF THESE SITES PROVIDE
INFORMATION ABOUT VIRUS HOAXES

SYMANTEC'S HOAX CHECKER