How to handle "forward this to everyone"
- Stop. Anytime a message
says "forward this to everyone" be suspicious -- it's a telltale sign
of someone trying to spoof others into causing an e-mail "storm". Look
for other signs that the message is a hoax: part of the message in ALL CAPS, warning
of dire consequences (erasing your hard drive if you even open the message it's
warning about). If you don't have time to investigate, DO NOT forward the message,
but watch for announcements in the media where any "real" threat will
surface.
- To check the message's
validity, go to one of the "hoax busting" sites or just www.google.com.
In the search box, enter a few key words from the message ("BIGGGG TROUBLE
WTC", "jdbgmgr.exe", ) and add the word HOAX. Hit the "Google
Search" button.
- Evaluate the results on
Google. You will almost certainly find a long list of pages describing the hoax
and telling how long it has been circulating around the Internet. Delete the message
and stop worrying.
- If you don't get this list,
try the search again without the word "hoax" and you might actually
get a CNN.COM article about a new virus that has hit. If this happens, let me
know. I (Nancy Shoemaker, shoemaker@acm.org)
will contribute $100 to the Educational Foundation in the name of the first AAUW
NC member who reports a new virus that they verified in this way.
Note on e-mail petitions:
e-mail petitions are a special case here. It is known that collecting names/addresses
in "e-mail chain letter" form is an ineffective way to affect policy
makers. Do not forward such messages. However, sites like www.PetitionOnline.org
are attempting to leverage the Internet to sample public opinion. If you want
to support the petition, try the Google search first, but your mileage may vary.
You'll find additional tips at
http://www.northnet.org/nysaauw/egroups.htm#mailing1
Background information on e-mail lists
For a discussion of the AAUW NC e-mail lists see
this page.
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