Feb. 23, 2000
In the past two weeks, some computer users in Utah have been drawn into fantastic stories that turned out not to be true.
Today's Family Now report explains what you can do to avoid falling prey to an Internet hoax.
Ever heard the expression, "There's no such thing as a free lunch?"
Security experts say that's true, especially when it comes to the Internet.
Scott Teeters, Jr./Security Manager: "IF YOU'RE NOT CONCERNED, I WOULD BE."
From offers to give you something for almost nothing - to warnings without merit - you can't believe everything you read.
Scott Teeters is security manager for a computer company.
He's heard most of the hoaxes before - like a message called "good times" that's supposed to ruin your computer.
Scott Teeters, Jr./Security Manager: "THE GOOD TIMES VIRUS. DEFINITELY, A HOAX."
The same take on a message that the Internet has to shut down for a world-wide "cleanup" day.
Scott Teeters, Jr./Security Manager: "THE INTERNET NEVER HAS TO CLOSE DOWN. IN FACT, TO GET INTERNET TO CLOSE DOWN COULD PROBABLY BE A GREAT CATASTROPHE."
Here in Utah, e-mail users have recently been fooled by hoaxes about gang initiations and phone scams.
And with offers for free stuff - Teeters says if an offer sounds too good to be true it probably is.
You are not really going to get free things from the Gap or a free Honda just based on an e-mail.
The federal government has some tips about identifying a hoax.
Be wary of:
- messages urging you to forward it to friends.
- messages supposedly from the Federal Communication Commission. The FCC says it doesn't issue virus warnings.
- warnings without the name of the sender, or false return addresses.
What should you do if your family gets e-mail like this?
Security experts say never forward a warning, or an offer for free merchandise ... unless you have confirmed that it is true.
