WARNING, CAUTION, DANGER, AND BEWARE!
Gullibility Virus Spreading over the Internet!




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 In Box 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 Hoaxes Anonymous
meeting and stated, "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 3 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 engine 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
Symantec Anti Virus Research Center at

McAfee Associates Virus Hoax List at

Dr. Solomons Hoax Page at

The Urban Legends Web Site at
Urban Legends Reference Pages at
Datafellows Hoax Warnings at



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

Evaluation of Information Sources at

* Bibliography on Evaluating Internet Resources at



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

Forward this message 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.