Don’t you wish that the Internet had a lie detector built in? Something that could tell you whether the person on the other end was really a 15-year-old boy, whether the antique you’re about to buy is legitimate, and whether you’re really eligible for that prize offer?

Someday, I’m sure there’s going to be a cure for dishonesty on the web, just like there’ll be a cure for cancer. Until that day, here are some things that can help.

Don’t Spread That Hoax: For anyone who’s ever wondered if they’re spreading a falsehood when they pass the message along, from the dying child who wants postcards to the free giveaways that fill your inbox.

BreaktheChain.org: This site documents chain letters, which are typically started just so that the “bad guys” can acquire more email addresses.

McAfee SiteAdvisor: Before you adopt a site as your own, it’s good to check in with SiteAdvisor. They’ll tell you about anything that looks suspicious, from pop-up ads to known fraudulent or spamming behavior.