Internet Hoakes
Is your information really an internet Hoax?
A large number of our visitors look for information on Internet Hoakes, so here are the details. Internet Hoakes is commonly used in place of Internet Hoax, but for the purposes of this page, we'll use Hoakes.
You might not think hoakes can cause you or your company any harm, but in actuality, they can do incredible damage costing thousands of dollars per company and more!
Hoakes
I'll explain how internet hoakes can do so much damage, but first let me cover the different types of hoaxes found on the internet.
All internet hoakes take advantage of lack of knowledge, sympathy, greed, fear, vanity and use some type of disinformation. They can take advantage of one or all of the above.
Internet Hoakes Example
For example, one I just received this morning takes advantage of fear by informing me that I have had too many attempts logging into my bank account and as a result, my account has been locked out. I'm given what looks like, but is not, the website address of the bank asking me to change my password.
It was clear to me that this is an internet hoakes because I don't have a bank account with the company listed in the email. If I had and was not aware, I would have followed the link, entered my information and given away my password.
Internet Hoakes also come in the form of warning letters. For example, someone might send you a message saying that there is a virus circulating the internet and you are one of the first to be notified. It will ask you to help others by simply sending them an email notifying them of this new threat.
These type of internet hoakes chew up valuable employee time and resources and do nothing more than create a false sense of urgency and unnecessary fear. If it makes it to the news, then rest assured some sicko is having a party celebrating his internet hoakes.
Internet Hoax Search
If you would like to search for internet hoaxes, simply enter the term to search for above. More information on hoaxes and Phishing are also available. You can also visit the government agency on Hoaxes located at http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org/.