What Is a Computer Hoax?
A computer hoax is also known as a virus hoax and typically occurs in the form of a “chain” email. Chain letters are sent out with the aim of getting the message to as many people as possible and usually contain some variety of threat or omen if the recipient breaks the chain. These sorts of letters have a long history and existed in paper form before email existed. They typically prey on human emotion, superstition, exploitation or promises of wealth and fortune to coerce others into sending the letter to other people. Some monetary exploitation has been seen in this manner too, typically in the form of a pyramid scheme.
A computer hoax is a chain letter sent via email that typically warns the user of some nonexistent threat to his or her email account or computer.
This form of chain mail is also known as a virus hoax because the letter often insists that the user’s computer is infected with a computer virus.
Computer Virus Hoax
Computer viruses are programs that copy themselves and infect computers, impairing and crashing the system. These files are often written into other files or programs, using downloaded files and email to spread to as many computers as possible. A vast majority of current computer users are aware that these files exist and can do grave damage to their computer and computer memory, and it is the fear of system failure that computer hoaxes prey upon.
A virus hoax doesn’t contain actual computer viruses. The descriptions of what the supposed virus would do are often sensational and impossible, such as the computer spontaneously combusting or everything on the computer being permanently deleted. There are also accounts of emails urging users to delete major, vital files, attempting to convince users that files essential to their computer are actually viruses.
Receiving a Hoax Email
A computer hoax emails will claim it is from a reputable source and often include links to fake news stories made to look like they’re from a real, valid news site. Although most recipients will know upon reading the email that it’s a hoax, it is certain that some users aren’t so lucky and fall for the trick, and may even do themselves harm in the effort to protect their computer.
Some hoax are chain emails which claim that only certain file attachments contain viruses and should cause concern, which can also lead to a false sense of safety on the part of the recipients.
Prank Emails
A prank email typically accomplishes nothing and exists to annoy people who are forwarded the message. Some will even tell recipients that if they forward the email along, they’ll receive popular and expensive programs for free.
A prank email is different from a computer prank, which is a computer program that makes using a computer extremely annoying. Pranks include programs that make the cursor move the opposite way of the physical mouse, turning the display upside down, fake system upgrades and the like. In computer hoaxes, nothing is sent or done to the computers of the recipients and typically, the only damage done is annoying computer users.
Pyramid Schemes
A common hoax includes telling recipients to send a dollar back to the person who sent them the letter, so that when they send their letters off they’ll be receiving money (thousands of dollars are often promised) for years. Simply put, this strategy has never worked and is a scheme.
Almost everyone knows someone who forwards many of these emails because they either fall for the email’s claims or because they just want to be “safe.” In reality, chain emails are not a reliable source regarding computer viruses and all attachments and programs should be approached with caution.