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The problem with email is that it lacks a "Regret" feature. Some little tool that would let you undo the Send command and bring back all copies of an email you sent and were subsequently forwarded. Certainly Laura Katsis, author of the widely spreading Halloween mall scare, and Melissa Buckheit of Brandeis University, author of the Women of Afghanistan petition, created a stir of an unimaginable magnitude. In both cases, well-meaning individuals shared information via email and their messages quickly achieved immortality. Indeed, the Afghanistan petition continues circulating today, nearly three years after its initial release, and shows little sign of stopping. While Ms. Katsis' email is much more recent, given emails penchant for "adaptation", it is safe to assume new variants will spring up to counter every major holiday. Urban Legends expert David Emery debunks these classic tales and others at http://urbanlegends.about.com.
The Hoax That Cried Virus explores why chain letters and hoaxes do have associated damage costs and - in some instances - have as severe an impact as a mass-mailing email worm. Indeed, the largest difference between the two is the method of transmission. Viruses send themselves automatically and chain letters' compelling messages urge users to do so themselves. Unlike viruses, however, that do have a cure, chain letters and hoaxes enjoy long lives in Cyberspace. Some, it seems, live forever.
Strangely, it seems hoaxes strike far more fear into people's hearts - and affects their habits - even more than legitimate virus warnings do. Indeed, many novice users who pour over every email and blindly foward all those with tragic tales of woe or destruction, seem unaffected by true virus warnings. These are the same users who often find themselves repeated victims of whatever legitimate virus is currently traveling via email. Perhaps antivirus vendors should hire hoax writers to phrase their next virus alert. Perhaps then, people will pay attention.
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