Do Not Open Unknown 'Greeting Card' emails

**WARNING** Trojans & Viruses in email fake 'ecards'

Lately I have been receiving 'greeting card' emails- saying that someone sent me an ecard- and to click on the link. The red flag here is that this email address- helpiwasscammed@yahoo.com- is strictly used for this website only, and my personal friends & family do not send me emails here. No one should be sending me a greeting card.
Here is an example of a fake ecard email, following with an article on how to protect yourself.


This is the email I received just today:
(I do not recommend following that link in the email)

Hi. A School friend has sent you a greeting card.
See your card as often as you wish during the next 15 days.

SEEING YOUR CARD

If your email software creates links to Web pages, click on your
card's direct www address below while you are connected to the
Internet:

http://66.243.175.68/?2b0099675c50080d0229e36841257XXXXXX

Or copy and paste it into your browser's "Location" box (where Internet

addresses go).



PRIVACY
riversongs.Com honors your privacy. Our home page and Card Pick Up have
links to our
Privacy Policy.

TERMS OF USE
By accessing your card you agree we have no liability.
If you don't know the person sending the card or don't wish to see the
card,
please disregard this Announcement.

We hope you enjoy your awesome card.

Wishing you the best,
Mailer-Daemon,
riversongs.Com


________________*****END OF SCAM EMAIL*****_____________






Mary Landesman from About.com wrote this article about Greeting Card Scams:


Attackers are increasingly using greeting card scams to foist trojans on the unsuspecting. Fortunately, there are some tell-tale signs and tips to follow that can help you avoid becoming a victim.

Be extra suspicious. Suspect a scam if (a) the greeting card doesn't address you by name; (b) the card sender's name isn't included in the body of the email; (c) the name isn't familiar; and (d) it's not a holiday, a birthday, or any other occasion that might warrant a card. If the card requires that you install a special viewer or tries to download a file to your system, treat it like a trojan. Cancel the download and scan your system with up to date antivirus software.

Be extra vigilant. If you receive a card from someone you know but you aren't quite sure it's legit, compose a new email to that person and ask if they sent you a card.
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Don't reply using the email you received - the From address just might be bogus.

Typically, the bogus greeting cards try to trick you into downloading a trojan that then tries to download other malicious files to the system. Even worse, the trojan is often cross-infected with the Parite virus. One example of a cross-infected 'greeting card' trojan is Backdoor:IRC/Zapchast.AN.

There are two victims with these greeting card scams - the user who fell for it and the legitimate greeting card company whose good name was used to trick that user. For example, there have recently been several reports of these scams pretending to be from the legitimate - and quite harmless - Bluemountain Greeting Cards site. This is not the first time Bluemountain has been caught in the crosshairs - in 1999 they were the victim of a virus hoax that also tried to discredit their name.

As with all malware and social engineering scams, the best defense is a good offense. Be aware.