Almost all virus warnings I receive via e-mail are hoaxes; I check them on the sites listed below, rather than wasting my friends' time passing on the false warnings. The proliferation of virus hoaxes is a virus itself because of all the time it wastes everyone.
Just because most warnings are hoaxes doesn't mean I don't take new warnings seriously; I have antivirus software installed on my home computer. (No, I won't recommend which software you should use; try reading some software reviews at sites like http://www.zdnet.com to help you decide what's right for your needs and your budget. You might also glean something useful from the links below.)
As UCF's Government Documents Librarian, I've had several requests for assistance in tracking down proposed legislation mentioned in hoax e-mail, such as FCC Modem Tax, Internet Access Per Minute Charges, and E-Mail Tax Bill 602P. None of these are real legislation, but the flood of e-mail from constituents has resulted in some members of Congress posting responses on their websites about these hoaxes.
If a warning sounds like the end of the world or an offer sounds too good to be true, please educate yourself before spreading rumors.
HoaxBusters (CIAC, U.S. Dept of Energy)
Virus Hoaxes (Symantec Antivirus Research Center)
Virus Hoaxes (McAfee Virus Information Center)
Computer Virus Hoaxes (Urban Legends & Folklore)
Truth About Computer Virus Myths & Hoaxes includes an A to Z list
The Federal Trade Commission identifies the
12 Scams Most Likely to
Arrive Via Bulk Email. According to the FTC's Consumer Complaint Form Web page:
"If you would like to forward unsolicited commercial e-mail (spam) to the
Commission,
please send it directly to UCE@FTC.GOV without using this
form."
CAUCE (Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial Email)
File a spam report (SpamCop)
rgause@mail.ucf.edu
(407) 823-2563
Last modified: February 19, 2002
http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~rgause/virus.htm