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Debunking Internet hoaxes Almost every day I get queries about whether a particular report or rumor circulating on the Internet is true or not. Not sure whether that e-mail you got contains the truth, a shred of truth, or is a complete fabrication? Here are some of the best resources for verifying or discounting possible Internet hoaxes. — J.D. Lasica Snopes2 The best of the bunch. Hoax info from Internet 101 Advisories and warnings about hoaxes, myths, chain letters, bogus virus alerts and more. Vmyths Learn about computer virus myths, hoaxes, urban legends, hysteria, and the implications if you believe in them. Sophos Sophos provides information about virus hoaxes, chain letters, scams and misunderstandings to aid companies and individuals. Hoaxbusters A service of the Computer Incident Advisory Capability and US Dept. of Energy. About.com Urban Legends About.com debunks the most common urban legends. Hoax info from Nonprofit.net Fairly extensive database of Net hoaxes. UrbanLegends.com One of the oldest hoax-busting sites around, but you've got to wonder about their credibility when they claim they're read by 50 billion people a week. Also at UrbanLegend Zeitgeist. Break the chain The name says it all. Hoaxinfo.com A site designed to debunk email hoaxes. Chainletters.org This site wisely advises you to beware the plague of chain letters, EFF's Folklore page Background on the subject from the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Urban legends & modern myths A collection of the entertaining modern folktales. CERT Coordination Center at Carnegie Mellon University Virus and virus-hoax news. Stiller Research Virus Hoax News Periodically updated pointers to the latest virus hoaxes. HoaxKill A site that identifies hoaxes and provides instructions to combat them, with an archive of chain letters, urban legends and hoaxes. Chain letters A chain letters verification site that seems to have gone into hibernation. Fraud Bureau A free service established to alert online consumers and investors of complaints relating to online vendors Fraud info from Google More about fraud and scams than hoaxes. Scambusters All about Internet fraud. Other sections: JD's Blog: New Media Musings Online journalism: Writings, columns, special reports Media Center: Online resources, favorite columnists Research and reference tools Interviews with media and Internet movers and shakers CONTACT JD