Date: Thu, 30 Oct 1997 23:57:13 -0600
From: Avi Bass <te0azb1@corn.cso.niu.edu>
Subject: File 6--Gullibility Virus Warning

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            WARNING, CAUTION, DANGER, AND BEWARE!
            Gullibility Virus Spreading over the Internet!
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WASHINGTON, D.C.--The Institute for the Investigation of Irregular
Internet Phenomena announced today that many Internet users are becoming 
infected by a new virus that causes them to believe without question 
every groundless story, legend, and dire warning that shows up in their 
inbox or on their browser.  The Gullibility Virus, as it is called, 
apparently makes people believe and forward copies of silly hoaxes 
relating to cookie recipes, e-mail viruses, taxes on modems, and 
get-rich-quick schemes [perhaps conspiracy theories should be included 
here].

"These are not just readers of tabloids or people who buy lottery 
tickets based on fortune cookie numbers," a spokesman said. "Most are 
otherwise normal people, who would laugh at the same stories if told to 
them by a stranger on a street corner."  However, once these same people 
become infected with the Gullibility Virus, they believe anything they 
read on the Internet.

"My immunity to tall tales and bizarre claims is all gone," reported one
weeping victim.  "I believe every warning message and sick child story 
my friends forward to me, even though most of the messages are 
anonymous."

Another victim, now in remission, added, "When I first heard about Good 
Times, I just accepted it without question.  After all, there were 
dozens of other recipients on the mail header, so I thought the virus 
must be true."  It was a long time, the victim said, before she could 
stand up at a Hoaxees Anonymous meeting and state, "My name is Jane, and 
I've been hoaxed."  Now, however, she is spreading the word.  "Challenge 
and check whatever you read," she says.

Internet users are urged to examine themselves for symptoms of the 
virus, which include the following:

      *  the willingness to believe improbable stories
         without thinking

      *  the urge to forward multiple copies of such
         stories to others

      *  a lack of desire to take three minutes to check
         to see if a story is true

T. C. is an example of someone recently infected.  He told one reporter,  
"I read on the Net that the major ingredient in almost all shampoos 
makes your hair fall out, so I've stopped using shampoo."  When told 
about the Gullibility Virus, T. C. said he would stop reading e-mail, so 
that he would not become infected.

Anyone with symptoms like these is urged to seek help immediately. 
Experts recommend that, at the first feelings of gullibility, Internet  
users rush to their favorite search engines and look up the item tempting 
them to thoughtless credence.  Most hoaxes, legends, and tall tales have 
been widely discussed and exposed by the Internet community.

Courses in critical thinking are also widely available, and there is 
online help from many sources, including

      *  Department of Energy Computer Incident Advisory
         Capability at
              <http://ciac.llnl.gov/ciac/CIACHoaxes.html>

      *  Symantec Anti-Virus Research Center at
              <http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/index.html>

      *  McAfee Associates Virus Hoax List at
              <http://www.mcafee.com/support/hoax.html>

      *  Dr. Solomons Hoax Page at
              <http://www.drsolomons.com/vircen/hoax.html>

      *  The Urban Legends Web Site at
              <http://www.urbanlegends.com>

      *  Urban Legends Reference Pages at
              <http://www.snopes.com>

      *  Datafellows Hoax Warnings at
              <http://www.Europe.Datafellows.com/news/hoax.htm>

Those people who are still symptom-free can help inoculate themselves 
against the Gullibility Virus by reading some good material on 
evaluating sources, such as

      *  Evaluating Internet Research Sources at
              <http://www.sccu.edu/faculty/R_Harris/evalu8it.htm>

      *  Evaluation of Information Sources at
              <http://www.vuw.ac.nz/~agsmith/evaln/evaln.htm>

      *  Bibliography on Evaluating Internet Resources at
              <http://refserver.lib.vt.edu/libinst/critTHINK.HTM>

Lastly, as a public service, Internet users can help stamp out the
Gullibility Virus by sending copies of this message to anyone who 
forwards them a hoax.

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This message is so important, we're sending it anonymously!  Forward it 
to all your friends right away!  Don't think about it!  This is not a 
chain letter!  This story is true!  Don't check it out!  This story is 
so timely, there is no date on it!  This story is so important, we're 
using lots of exclamation points!  For every message you forward to some 
unsuspecting person, the Home for the Hopelessly Gullible will donate 
ten cents to itself.  (If you wonder how the Home will know you are 
forwarding these messages all over creation, you're obviously thinking 
too much.)

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     ACT NOW!  DON'T DELAY!  LIMITED TIME!  NOT SOLD IN ANY STORE!

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