I think, in general, the internet makes it harder to con people who have the savvy to seek after any sort of informational truth - not just facts relating to various religious people.<p>Of course, the internet brings new sorts of cons - think phishing and various malware schemes that could actually be used by various people to increase followers.
The website <a href="http://controversyextraordinary.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">http://controversyextraordinary.blogspot.com</a> is one of the more intelligent site that keeps both atheists and so-called religions on their heels.