How to Spot a Virus Hoax

Abstract

If you receive a virus alert message, don't believe it.

At the end of 1996, the problem of virus hoaxes escalated (specifically hoaxes in the form of false virus alert messages). Warnings similar to the "Good Times" virus hoax became common. This paper analyzes the "Good Times" hoax, builds a list of the it's features, and shows how those features apply to later hoaxes. A simple generic system is presented to aid in analyzing virus warnings. The paper concludes by showing how to handle false virus warning. :eabstract.