What is a Hoax Email?
Hoaxes are reports of false and unsubstantiated claims, in an attempt to trick or defraud users.
A hoax could be an attempt to solicit money, an attempt to install malware, or an attempt to consume bandwith (by having users forward a hoax email).
Hoaxes in the form of emails do some or all of the following:
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Warn you that there is an undetectable, highly destructive new piece of malware
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Ask you to avoid reading emails with a particular subject line, claiming it contains malware
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Claim that the warning was issued by a major software company, Internet provider or government agency
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Claim that the malware can do something improbable
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Urge you to forward the warning
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Claim that liking a story or individual on Facebook can result in financial windfalls, charitable contributions and free prizes
Many users forwarding such hoax emails can cause a deluge of email, which may overload mail servers. Hoax messages may also distract from efforts to deal with real malware threats.