Web Site Investigates, Debunks
Internet Hoaxes, e-Mail Rumors
and Urban Legends

E-mail continues to be the Web's "killer app," i.e., killer software application, and its ability to circle the globe within hours can be either a blessing or a curse.

At its best, e-mail allows for the rapid dissemination of information that can be used to save lives, speed processes and connect people at great distances.

At its worst, e-mail, particularly when forwarded by a friend to lend it credibility, can be as lethal and virulent as a global pandemic in its spread of misinformation, disinformation, distortion and lies.

Who knows how many sales have been lost to e-mail hoaxes about companies and their products. Or, how many elections have been lost due to lingering notions about a deliberately false political rumor.

Should we just not believe what we read in an e-mail and deny ourselves a powerful technology?