folklore
beginner
10 sample questions
Internet Folklore MCQ Practice Test
Digital age myths and online urban legends
Q1. What was the name of a notorious hacking group active in the 1990s, known for their involvement in various illegal activities, including phone phreaking and computer hacking?
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A. The Phantom Phreaks
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B. The Cyberdyne Menace
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C. The Masters of Deception ✓
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D. The Digital Vagrants
Explanation: The Masters of Deception (MOD) was a hacking group active in the 1990s. They were known for their phone phreaking and computer hacking activities. They were not a hoax, but a real group of hackers.
Q2. What type of scam involves sending threatening emails demanding payment to prevent harm to a recipient's computer?
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A. Phishing scam
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B. Ransomware attack ✓
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C. Nigerian Prince scam
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D. Advanced Fee Fraud
Explanation: Ransomware attacks often involve sending threatening emails demanding payment to prevent harm to a recipient's computer. The attackers claim to have installed malware that will encrypt the victim's files or otherwise damage their system if payment is not made.
Q3. What is the name of the 1990s urban legend about a person who supposedly died after receiving a cursed floppy disk?
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A. The Floppy Disk of Death ✓
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B. The Curse of the 3.5 Inch Disk
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C. The Hard Drive Horror Story
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D. The Zip File of Doom
Explanation: This legend claimed that a person had received a floppy disk that was said to be cursed, and after using it, the person died. This story was often told as a cautionary tale about the dangers of computer viruses and the importance of being cautious when accepting files from unknown sources.
Q4. What is the origin of the urban legend about the 'All Your Base' meme?
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A. It originated from a 1989 video game called "Neuromancer"
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B. It came from a 1992 Japanese video game "Zero Wing" ✓
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C. It was created by a group of internet users in 2000 as a joke
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D. It was inspired by a 1980s anime series called "Gunbuster"
Explanation: The 'All Your Base' meme originated from a poorly translated Japanese video game called "Zero Wing", which was released in 1992. The game's dialogue contained the phrase "Somebody set up us the bomb" and "All your base are belong to us", which were later taken out of context and became a popular internet meme.
Q5. What is the origin of the urban legend that if you go to a website at exactly 3:33 AM, you will be greeted with a mysterious error message saying 'The System Has Been Shutdown'?
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A. It originated from a 1990s internet hoax that was spread through dial-up BBS systems ✓
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B. It is based on a real incident involving a server crash at a major ISP in the early 2000s
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C. It is a fictional story created by a group of internet pranksters as a form of social experiment
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D. It is a reference to an old urban legend about a haunted website that was said to be cursed
Explanation: This urban legend is often cited as an example of how internet folklore can spread quickly and persist even in the face of evidence to the contrary. The story is thought to have originated in the 1990s, when dial-up BBS systems were still a common way for people to access the internet. At the time, it was not uncommon for BBS systems to crash or experience technical difficulties, which may have contributed to the spread of this legend.
Q6. What is the name of the urban legend about a website that claims to reveal a person's deepest, darkest secret if they enter their phone number?
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A. The Secret Keeper ✓
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B. The Number Rater
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C. The Truth Teller
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D. The Phone Phreak
Explanation: This urban legend has been circulating online since the early 2000s, claiming that a website will reveal a person's deepest, darkest secret if they enter their phone number. However, it is likely a hoax and no such website has been found.
Q7. What is the origin of the internet urban legend known as the 'Daisy Chain'?
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A. A hoax about a woman who died after receiving a bouquet of daisies with a USB drive containing a virus ✓
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B. A story about a group of hackers who used a daisy chain of computers to steal sensitive information
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C. A rumor about a woman who was mistakenly identified as a hacker and was subsequently killed by an angry mob
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D. A myth about a computer virus that was spread through a daisy chain of infected computers
Explanation: The 'Daisy Chain' is a internet urban legend that originated in the early 2000s. It claims that a woman died after receiving a bouquet of daisies with a USB drive containing a virus. However, there is no truth to this story, and it is considered a hoax.
Q8. What is the origin of the internet urban legend about the 'All Your Base Are Belong to Us' phrase?
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A. It originated from a 1989 Japanese video game called Zero Wing ✓
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B. It was coined by a group of hackers in the early 2000s
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C. It was a marketing campaign for a failed video game in the 1990s
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D. It was a joke made by a single internet user in the late 1990s
Explanation: The phrase 'All Your Base Are Belong to Us' is often attributed to a poorly translated Japanese video game called Zero Wing. The game's English translation was widely criticized for its grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, leading to the phrase becoming a meme and a catchphrase in internet culture.
Q9. What is the name of the popular internet hoax that claims if you forward a chain email about a dying child, you will receive a fortune in return?
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A. The Nigerian Prince
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B. The Dutch Boy
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C. The Dead Child Email ✓
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D. The African Charity Scam
Explanation: The Dead Child Email is a type of urban legend that claims if you forward a chain email about a dying child, you will receive a fortune in return. However, the email is often used to spread malware or phishing scams.
Q10. What is the name of the 1990s internet urban legend about a woman who sends a series of threatening emails to a man, only to be revealed as his ex-girlfriend?
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A. The Porta Project
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B. The Dyatlov Email
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C. The Poisonous Pen Pal ✓
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D. The Cyberstalker of San Jose
Explanation: The Poisonous Pen Pal is a well-known internet urban legend about a woman who sends threatening emails to a man, only to be revealed as his ex-girlfriend. The story claims that the woman, who is often described as being unstable and vengeful, sends a series of disturbing emails to the man, including threats of violence and even death. The legend claims that the man is eventually able to track down the woman and expose her identity, often with the help of the internet community.
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