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Email Hoax
Definition - What does Email Hoax mean?
An email hoax is a scam that is distributed in email form. It is designed to deceive and defraud email recipients, often for monetary gain.
Hoax is derived from hocus, a term first used in the late 18th century.
Techopedia explains Email Hoax
An email hoax is a commonly used Internet scam tactic targeted to specified demographics, markets or causes, including:
Email hoax prevention is possible through education. Web users of all levels are encouraged to stay on top of continuously changing Internet and email security issues.
- Charities, such as missing children
- Nigerian scams
- Lottery scams
- Dating scams
- Chain letters
- Fake security warnings
Email hoax prevention is possible through education. Web users of all levels are encouraged to stay on top of continuously changing Internet and email security issues.
