Hoaxes can be harmful because they play on your fear of viruses. This fear can prompt people to shut down their respective systems and they can produce as much hysteria as the real thing. Security Issues There are a suite of utilities that are free to use, which may help if you want to check out "who is" (domain or web address info.), and can provide some information on e-mail addresses (you can check these out, before you take any action suggested in e-mails).

Be very careful when using your clipboard, and perhaps, avoid copying and pasting sensitive financial passwords/numbers. Clipboard information is easy enough to hack, and these links will go some way to proving it.
Try copying something unimportant, then check out how easily this can be done HERE.
Navigate that site using the links on the left. The one to use for clipboard info. is "browser mirror".

Your software manufacturer may offer updates. These are often free and are supposed to make your machine more up to date. Just log on to the relevant site (example; www.microsoft.com) and look for a "link" called updates. In other cases, this might fall under a "download" link.
Updates change the way that your system works and you may be required to "re-start" your computer.

A PATCH however, is supposed to resolve any software issues, including security threats. Some are known as hot patches and this is where "re-booting" is unnecessary.

The thing is that software manufacturers can release products to the market, before thorough "de-bugging" has been done, or performed. It is understandable enough, as this presents an edge over competition.
There is an old saying "A good idea today, is better than a brilliant one, tomorrow". Patches can be released after uptake.

This link Check your computers vulnerabilities. might provide you with some insight on vulnerabilities, and there is an interesting report "Original DDoS Report", at this location.