| On Thursday, January 23, one of the biggest | | | | reputable websites, confusing the public even more. |
| technology based magazines incorrectly reported that | | | | Mac Rumors, a website dedicated to Apple news, has |
| Apple CEO Steve Jobs from complications resulting | | | | been the victim of several hacking attempts over the |
| from heart failure. Wired Magazine's website | | | | past few months, several times posting that Jobs had |
| (wired.com) was allegedly hacked into by pranksters | | | | died as a result of his recent health problems. |
| who published false article on the website and | | | | The impact of these false reports and hacking |
| proceeded to share the link to the site on social | | | | attempts has been costly for Apple. They must |
| networking websites. | | | | continually monitor online news media, and ensure that |
| Although it appears as a simple hoax, the false article | | | | false reports are identified and removed promptly. |
| has caused quite a stir in the technology world. Even | | | | Several times over the past year, false reports |
| though it was only posted on the site for about two | | | | regarding Jobs' health have led to significant decline in |
| hours before being discovered as false, links to the | | | | the price of Apple's stock shares. On a few |
| article spread quickly and the false report was seen | | | | occasions, a feeling of panic and anxiety has swept |
| by thousands of online viewers. | | | | over Apple shareholders, leading them to sell large |
| The hoax is only the most recent in a long string of | | | | portions of stock and drive the price per share down |
| deceptive articles posted online claiming that the Apple | | | | even further. |
| CEO has died. As Jobs' health has apparently been | | | | Thus, these hacking attempts spreading false rumors |
| declining over the last few years, rumors have been | | | | about Steve Jobs have been a tremendous nuisance |
| spreading rapidly about the true health of the | | | | to Apple executives and shareholders alike. Although |
| technology guru. | | | | they false reports aren't indicative of the real health |
| During this year's MacWorld expo, many rumors | | | | situation of Apple's leaders, they have led many people |
| surfaced online indicating that Jobs had died. | | | | to be concerned over the health and longevity of Jobs, |
| Questioning the health of Apple's chief, these rumors | | | | and the future ramifications these reports could have |
| quickly turned into false reports that showed up on | | | | are yet to be seen. |