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Open e-cards with care
The Internet has made e-cards a convenient and inexpensive alternative to traditional paper cards. There are now more e-card companies and services than ever, and most remain safe and easy to use. Unfortunately, hackers, scam artists, and porn purveyors have started to move into e-card territory to trick the unwary.
Spam or a spyware installer that displays pornography or other unwanted images on your desktop, launches adult-oriented Web sites, or barrages you with pop-up ads (even when you aren't on the Internet).
A computer virus
Don't fret, though. With a little knowledge and prudence, you can avoid fake e-cards and enjoy legitimate ones by applying the same caution you would use with any piece of e-mail you receive.
How can you avoid fake e-cards?
Here are a few basic things you can do to help avoid opening and sending fake e-cards:
Never download or click on anything from an unknown source.
Be wary of an e-mail message or file attachment from someone you don't know or that seems suspicious.
Install antivirus software from well-known companies and keep it updated. (However, you shouldn't rely on antivirus software alone for security.)
Preview a link's Web address before you click it. If the link doesn't show an address, move your mouse pointer over a link without clicking it to see where the link goes. (The address should appear on the bottom bar of your Web browser.)
Don't accept an end-user agreement without reading the fine print first; you might inadvertently agree to install spyware or something else you don't want.
Tip: If you think you may have already opened an e-card that contained spyware or unwanted software, see How to get rid of spyware.
Use established greeting card sites such as MSN Greetings, Hallmark, American Greetings, Blue Mountain, or Egreetings when sending e-cards.
Use software that allows you and your family to create and send your own e-cards, such as Microsoft Photo Story 3Microsoft Digital Image Suite. You can also make your own e-cards using greeting card templates from Microsoft Office. which you can download free, or or Microsoft Digital Image Suite. You can also make your own e-cards using greeting card templates from Microsoft Office.
Spam or a spyware installer that displays pornography or other unwanted images on your desktop, launches adult-oriented Web sites, or barrages you with pop-up ads (even when you aren't on the Internet).
A computer virus
Don't fret, though. With a little knowledge and prudence, you can avoid fake e-cards and enjoy legitimate ones by applying the same caution you would use with any piece of e-mail you receive.
How can you avoid fake e-cards?
Here are a few basic things you can do to help avoid opening and sending fake e-cards:
Never download or click on anything from an unknown source.
Be wary of an e-mail message or file attachment from someone you don't know or that seems suspicious.
Install antivirus software from well-known companies and keep it updated. (However, you shouldn't rely on antivirus software alone for security.)
Preview a link's Web address before you click it. If the link doesn't show an address, move your mouse pointer over a link without clicking it to see where the link goes. (The address should appear on the bottom bar of your Web browser.)
Don't accept an end-user agreement without reading the fine print first; you might inadvertently agree to install spyware or something else you don't want.
Tip: If you think you may have already opened an e-card that contained spyware or unwanted software, see How to get rid of spyware.Use established greeting card sites such as MSN Greetings, Hallmark, American Greetings, Blue Mountain, or Egreetings when sending e-cards.
Use software that allows you and your family to create and send your own e-cards, such as Microsoft Photo Story 3Microsoft Digital Image Suite. You can also make your own e-cards using greeting card templates from Microsoft Office. which you can download free, or or Microsoft Digital Image Suite. You can also make your own e-cards using greeting card templates from Microsoft Office.
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