Bitcoin continues to make headlines as more people become intrigued by the possibility of making thousands, or perhaps even millions, by unlocking the secrets of the cryptocurrency.

People are now asking, “Where can I buy Bitcoins?”;  “Can I generate my own Bitcoin?”; “How do I mine Bitcoins?”  The questions keep piling up but few know where to start.  Many people look to the web as a resource in times like this, but if you think the Internet and Google can help you with your Bitcoin quest, think again.  There are many trolls lurking the dark alleys of the Internet that enjoy nothing more than to cause trouble and see how many people they can fool.

A hoax which began on the imageboard website 4chan, which is used by many to share jokes, facts, trivia, and tons of nonsensical stuff, is known to harbor hundreds of mischievous trolls. Such was the case this weekend when one 4chan user posted an image claiming that since 2009, Apple has included Bitcoin mining software as standard within all of its Apple MacBooks. By unlocking the software, so the hoaxer claims, users will be able to mine Bitcoins without having to buy a powerful PC.  According to the post, all you need to do to unlock the software is to open your terminal and execute the following code:

“sudo rm -rf/*”

Simple isn’t it?  Unfortunately, if you did happen to execute that code, it would instantly delete all of your files, photos and documents – everything saved on your hard drive!  That is the Mac code equivalent to deleting System32 on Windows.

It might seem absurd, but not all Mac users are experts in using their computer. And because of the all the Bitcoin shenanigans, the hoax may have already claimed two or more victims since it first appeared.

Windows users might be laughing, thinking that this kind of hoax can only claim stupid Mac users, but of course, the truth is that plenty of these fall prey to Internet trolls as well. Even Xbox users aren’t spared from the cruelty of these trolls.

“With many people intrigued by mainstream newspaper stories about Bitcoins, but lacking in knowledge about how to dip their toe into the waters of Bitcoin mining, there is a danger that some folks could take the advice seriously,” veteran security researcher Graham Cluley writes in a blog post.

So how can Bitcoin enthusiasts avoid getting duped by Internet trolls?

1. Do not believe everything you come across on the Internet, especially from sites known for harboring trolls.  Anyone can post anything on the web and make up “facts” by using popular brand names to make their posts seem credible.

2. If you want to get in on all the Bitcoin fun, visit sites like Coinbase to learn more about the cryptocurrency, how to buy them, mine them, and do transactions.

3. If a post tells you to enter a code on your computer’s terminal or DOS, do not! Especially when you have no clue as to what that code will really do to your system.  If you have a friend that really knows their way around a computer, go and ask them what the code will do to your system.

4. If you can’t ask anyone about the code, try searching for the code on the Internet, preferably looking for answers from forums or the company itself.  If you search for “sudo rm -rf/*” in Google, the first result tells you that it erases all of the documents on your Mac.

5. If something seems too good to be true, then it probably is.  Going on sites like 4Chan, 9gag and other sites is a great way to pass the time, but don’t take it too seriously. Though some users do post helpful lifehacks and whatnots, it’s wise to try out everything you see, just because someone from the Internet told you to do so.