How to send and receive e-cards more safely
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How do e-cards work? For the most part, they are created the same way Web sites are; in other words, they are built on the Internet just like this page. So when you send someone an e-card, you are actually giving them a link to click on, which takes them to the online greeting card you created for them to enjoy.
Unfortunately, hackers, scam artists, and porn purveyors have started to move into e-card territory to trick the unwary.
No one knows how many illegitimate e-cards are being sent, but a variety of problems—some annoying, others potentially destructive—may stem from fake e-cards. A wholesome-looking greeting card, once clicked or downloaded, might actually be:
| • | 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 that scans your e-mail addresses and then sends a bogus e-card to your personal and professional contacts—typically without your knowledge. The fake e-card and virus may even appear to be from you. |
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 and to help minimise the damage if you do:
| • | Use a firewall. |
| • | Keep Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office programs up to date with security updates. |
| • | Install antivirus software and antispyware software. |
| • | 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. |
| • | 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 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 which you can download free, or Microsoft Digital Image Suite. You can also make your own e-cards using greeting card templates from Microsoft Office. |
May not be for your eyes only
Although many e-card providers can keep your e-card private so only you or the recipient can see it, not all of them do, and some use outdated security tools or methods. Instead of trying to determine which ones do provide good security, it's a better idea to always assume your e-card can be seen by anyone.
With this in mind, we suggest the following guidelines:
| • | Avoid adding any personal information to the e-card, including your full name, home address, phone number, e-mail address, credit card information, where your kids go to school or anything else you wouldn't want a stranger to see. |
| • | Be careful how you caption any photos added to your e-cards. Remember that many online organisations use maiden names and pet names as a method of reminding people of their forgotten passwords. If you put this information in a greeting card, it could be found by a thief and used to gain access to someone's online accounts. |
| • | Make sure the business you use allows you or the recipient to delete the e-card when it's no longer needed. Or find out if the business deletes the e-card on a specified date or after a certain period of time. Tip: If you want to save the e-card as a keepsake, you can in most cases print it or save it to your computer. |
| • | If you like to write a lot in your e-cards and aren't sure if something is safe to add, follow the rule of when in doubt, leave it out. |
In addition to e-cards, it's also become popular to create electronic invitations and announcements that work the same way e-cards do. For these, you'll want to add more information (such as a home or e-mail address for an RSVP), but provide only the essential stuff and make sure the business you choose offers up-to-date security. If they don't, or you can't find this out, try a different service. If you are responding to an RSVP, assume that other invitees can see your response and anything you write in it.