Email hoaxes that find their way to a person’s email address are too numerous to count. Though Internet users handled lots of email hoaxes in the past, still a new one that reaches the inbox alerts many online users. With todays sophisticated types of malware and virus, it is not surprising that Internet users take some hoaxes seriously.
Glad it was just a hoax
Receiving a message stating that you have been infected by a virus when you opened a specific email, for instance, can cause you to worry. But the moment you found out that the email is a hoax, you may feel a surge of relief. But this hoax should not be taken lightly. Hoaxes can be as dangerous as a virus and malware. For instance, a circulating hoax claims to be infected with a virus and states that the instant that you receive that same message, a virus will infect your program as well, so you have to delete your files. If you take this seriously, just imagine the damage this hoax will inflict on you.
How to spot an email hoax
It is not bad to be skeptical about every email that enters your mail box; however, it is an advantage if you evaluate the email carefully before making any move. When you open an email, watch out if the message commands you to forward it to others; this is the most common feature of many hoaxes. Be skeptical also of emails that strongly assert that they are not hoaxes; most of the time, they are. Last, before passing judgment, you have to analyze the email critically.