virus hoaxes, etc.

Alexa Champion (alexa.champion@erols.com)
Sat, 10 Jul 1999 19:16:53 -0100


I'm sure you all get hysterical messages like I do about viruses and
such. Here's a fairly solid list of places to check if these stories are
legit or not.

AC

>In recent weeks, we have discussed computer worms and viruses, and offered
>sites where you can go to check out the latest news about them. To read
>about those sites, please visit our Weekend Announcements for 6/18/99 and
>7/2/99, available at these links, respectively.
>
>http://www.erols.com/erols/news/0699/06-18-99.html
>http://www.erols.com/erols/news/0799/07-02-99.html
>
>But worms and viruses are not the only plagues that infest the Internet.
>The net also abounds in hoaxes about viruses, chain letters, and just plain
>old ordinary hoaxes. So this week we are listing several sites that help
>you keep track of them.
>
>http://ciac.llnl.gov is a site run by the U.S. Government's Department of
>Energy. It lists not only real viruses and worms but also hoaxes
>pretending to be computer attack programs. Please note that the address
>for this site is NOT on the World Wide Web, so it does not require the
>"www" prefix, it is just http://ciac.llnl.gov
>
>Please note also the warning that by using the site you will be subject to
>"security monitoring and testing. All activity is logged with your host
>name and IP address."
>
>http://www.nonprofit.net/hoax/hoax.html is a non-profit site that exposes
>Internet hoaxes and chain letters.
>
>http://www.kumite.com/ dispels myths about computer viruses. Webmaster
>Rob Rosenberger wisely notes the Latin phrase "Mundus vult decipi" (the
>world wants to be deceived) and invites you to read about him before you
>take his advice.
>
>http://www.historybuff.com includes a list of great hoaxes throughout
>history.
>
>http://urbanlegends.about.com/ tracks current Internet hoaxes and offers
>message boards to discuss many other myths and legends in the popular
>culture.