"In the City of God there will be a great thunder,
Two brothers torn apart by Chaos,
while the fortress endures,
the great leader will succumb,
The third big war will begin when the big city is burning"

Nostradamus, French astrologer, 1654

Soon after the New York terror attack, there was a 1654 Nostradamus prediction circulating around the cyber community. It said that World War III would begin with the fall of "two brothers," a reference to the destroyed World Trade Center towers. 

However, experts were quick to dismiss, saying that Nostradamus never made such a prediction. Furthermore, Nostradamus was dead by 1566 and could not have possibly said anything in 1654!

Such urban legends are generated by inconsiderate people, trying to cause unnecessary distress in people for the sake of fun. 

Though harmless, the rumour may border on slander. For example, there was a claim that KFC was selling mutated chicken meat. If not clarified, it could result in a great loss of business for KFC.  

Anonymity and responsibility

Anonymity or false identities on the Internet can breed irresponsibility. When a person is not held accountable for his comments, he can simply flame any organisation or person. Discussions in online forums can be disrupted by such people.

Thus, substantial number of people shun away from online discussions as they do not know who they are talking with.