A hoax is a deliberate deception designed to trick people into believing something false. Hoaxes can take many forms, including fake news stories, misleading social media posts, or even elaborate pranks. They often spread quickly, especially online, and can cause confusion or panic among the public. Some famous hoaxes include the Piltdown Man, a supposed early human fossil that was later revealed to be a forgery, and the War of the Worlds radio broadcast, which led many listeners to believe that an alien invasion was occurring. Understanding hoaxes is important to help people critically evaluate information and avoid being misled.