Ask Hoax-Slayer

Journalists have often asked me if I think modern technology such as email, social media, and the Internet has made it easier to perpetrate hoaxes than it was in earlier times.

Question from Reader: I sometimes get spam emails that have phrases or paragraphs about topics that do not seem to have any connection to what the spammer is trying to sell.

There is no such thing as a Facebook Lottery. Messages that claim that you have won a Facebook Lottery are advance fee scams designed to trick you into sending your money and personal information to Internet criminals.

Question from reader: I’ve read that malware can ‘join my computer to a botnet’. But what exactly is a botnet?

We discuss the differences between malware and viruses.

Question from Reader: I know there are a lot of fake Pages on Facebook that are just designed to get people to…

Question from reader: I know that many people get scammed by phishing and malware. But what are the differences between these two…

Question From Reader: I keep coming across the term ‘URL’ when reading articles online.

I am often asked if email-based petitions have any value. Well, in my opinion, they are completely worthless. Here’s why.