Lecture's over, class, now let's do a lab. Below I've written a sample e-mail alert to illustrate my points. As you read through it, reflect on the suggestions above, and tally up how much of my own advice I heed. If you forward this alert to another address, please do so in its entirety. The Internet is being flooded with e-mail messages that contain misinformed warnings and uncorroborated facts.
Some messages are hoaxes, apparently written to create needless confusion, paranoia and hysteria.
The Internet has become a breeding ground for misinformation and hoaxes. When you receive a message containing a warning, a possible hoax, or a chain letter, we suggest you read the message with reasonable skepticism. Rather than forward the information promiscuously, we ask readers to confirm the information in a message before resending it, and discard without further action any e-mail which makes unsubstantiated claims. This is an advisory. No further action is necessary.