Subject: Re: Request: Copy of Gullability Virus Text... From: WTodd@clemson.edu (Billy Todd) Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.written.robert-jordan Organization: Clemson University Hired Killers On Thu, 18 Feb 1999 21:49:12 -0500, KaSpa wrote: >Someone forwarded me one of those stupid "Virus Alert"s, I hate them, >please post the Gullability Virus Text one more time please, as I >forgot to save it when it was last posted. Thank you. Here you go: ------------ Actually, it's _even_ more insidious than that! The Internet Gullibility Virus is HERE! ------- Start of forwarded message ------- Date: Sun, 27 Dec 1998 17:35:07 +0000 To: (Recipient list suppressed) From: "James M. BRYANT, G4CLF" Subject: Virus Hoax Warning - Pass this to all your Friends ********************************************** WARNING, CAUTION, DANGER, AND BEWARE! Gullibility Virus Spreading over the Internet! ********************************************** Midsomer Norton, Somerset, England - Christmas Day 1998 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, email viruses, taxes on modems, and get-rich-quick schemes. "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 in a bar. 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 that my friends forward to me, even though most of the messages are anonymous." Another victim, now in remission, said, "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 that the virus must be real." It was a long time, the victim added, 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 advises. 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 * Lack of desire to take three minutes to check if a story is true Tony 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 stopped using shampoo." When told about the Gullibility Virus, Tony said he would stop reading email, so that he would not become reinfected. Anyone with symptoms like these is urged to seek help. Experts recommend that at the first feelings of gullibility, Internet users should 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 http://ciac.llnl.gov/ciac/CIACHoaxes.html Computer Virus Myths page at http://www.kumite.com/myths IBM's Hype Alert web site at http://www.av.ibm.com/BreakingNews/HypeAlert Symantec Anti Virus Research Center Hoax Page at http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/hoax.html Network Associates Virus Hoax Listing at http://www.nai.com/services/support/hoax/hoax.asp Dr. Solomons Hoax Page at http://www.drsolomon.com/vircen/vanalyse/va005.html The Urban Legends Web Site at http://www.urbanlegends.com Urban Legends Reference Pages at http://www.snopes.com Mining Company Urban Legends Page at http://urbanlegends.miningco.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. *********************************************************** 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! This story is so important, we're using lots of exclamation points! If you are worried that you or your loved ones may be affected you should send a dollar bill (or its equivalent in your local currency), and a list of their names and email addresses, to:- The Home for the Hopelessly Gullible, 12, Redfield Road, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2JN, Bath, England, and we will, ABSOLUTELY FREE, determine if any of you are affected with the Gullibility Virus and advise our findings in the strictest confidence. ****************************************************************** ACT NOW BEFORE THE MILLENNIUM! DON'T DELAY! LIMITED TIME! THIS SERVICE IS CHOLESTEROL-FREE AND CONTAINS NO SODIUM, ANIMAL PRODUCTS, MSG, GLUTEN OR TROPICAL OILS ------------------- Billy Todd WTodd@clemson.edu "The only demographic group more full of shit than college students, in general, is graduate students. But that's a more academic form of shit."- Chad "Oilcan" Orzel, rasfwr-j