History of Internet Scams and Hoaxes

1
History of Internet Scams and Hoaxes

• By Sabrina S. Sears
• Major Computer Science
• COSC 279
• Mrs. Bahorski

2
Introduction

• The start of computer hoaxes
• Three parts of a hoax or chain letter
• Cost of hoaxes
• How to decipher through hoaxes and protect
  yourself
• Resources
• Contact

3
The start of computer hoaxes

• In 1988 there was the first ever hoax called the
  2400 baud modem virus hoax
• It distributed itself on the modem sub-carrier
  present in all 2400 baud modems and up.

• Since then, virus hoaxes have flooded the net
• with thousands worldwide

4
Three parts of a hoax

• A hook- designed to catch your interest and get
  you to read the rest of the letter
• A threat- designed to get you to pass the letter
  on to as many people as possible
• A request- some hoaxes ask for money to be sent
  to different names on a list and others just ask
  for you to send the e-mail to everyone you know

5
Cost of hoaxes

• Many people dont know that there is a cost
  associated with hoaxes
• If everyone on the Internet were to receive one
  hoax message and spend one minute reading and
  discarding it, the cost would be something like
• 50,000,000 people 1/60 hour 50/hour
• 41.7 million.

6
How to decipher and protect yourself

• Heres how to decipher between real virus alerts
  ask yourself these 3 questions
• Is the message regarding the hoax from a genuine
  expert?
• Does the message urge you to forward it to
  everyone you know?
• Does the message come with a link to a legitimate
  resource for information?

7
Conclusion

• The first hoax began around 1988
• There are three parts to a hoax The hook, the
  threat, and the request
• There is a high cost for providing hoaxes
• There are ways to protect yourself from being a
  victim of a hoax or virus

8
Resources

• CIAC Internet Hoax Information
• http//hoaxbusters.ciac.org
• Vmyths.com
• www.vmyths.com

9
Contact

• Sabrina S. Sears
• Student Computer Science
• Email ssears1_at_emich.edu
• http//people.emich.edu/ssears1/
• Personal site http//destined.to/thedreamworld
• Personal Email Nsyncbaby1981_at_msn.com