The reading about web hoaxes informed me of all of the types of misinformation that exist on the web today. Not only are people creating bogus websites for organizations and races of people, but they are imitating charities and tricking people into donating money, or a false healthcare website that leads to further injury. The fact that this is happening has also spurred organizations to come into effect that have to deal with these pretend websites, warning the general public and trying to lessen the amount of false information. Many of these websites come from angry or disgruntled people who are holding a grudge on something and use the internet to get others to either join them on their way of thinking, or make the reader feel that the website is legitimate. Even spoof and parody sites, meant to be harmless and poke fun, have people believing what is written because it is in the written word.
It is alarming that so many counterfeit sites exist, but at the same time it is not too surprising. The web is such an open and free form of anonymous communication that it is perfect for people who would probably not speak up in a face-to-face confrontation or even a malicious telephone call. The internet makes it easier for people and organizations to be attacked. And after they are attacked, the aftermath is out there for the general public to google search. It makes one want to double check the source of all information that they find on the web.
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