Don't pick up your ecards!

Got an email saying "A special e-card has been sent you." I know I have a lot of admirers and wanted to open the greeting card to see what it said. But - I am suspicious of messages like this, so I typed the wording into Google and didn't get any warnings about it. So I made sure my anti-virus was updated and clicked on the link and typed in the code number that was provided in the email. The web site looked ok, and I didn't see anything suspicious, so I hit the enter button. A new window opened and I got a message that the e-card Flash Player was not installed on my computer, and I should click here to install the latest version. That's when I figured out that it was a dangerous scam. Don't ever allow a web site to install flash player, active X controls, or anything else that requires an installation, unless you are sure that it's a trusted site like Microsoft, MacroMedia, or Adobe. Even then be sure, because sometimes sites can spoof them. Bottom line, if someone sends you an electronic greeting card, be suspicious.

NO JOKE! NEVER let anything install something on your computer. If you need a Flash upgrade for example go to Adobe or for Acrobat go to Macromedia, the downloads are there free and they will detect what needs to be updated on your system. It's also a good idea to use anti spyware scanners and programs like AdAware along with your anti-virus just to be more safe. Of course as has been often said the only way to be 100% safe is to unplug your computer from the Internet. I saw a thing today on a virus running rampant in England that was in e-mails preying on people who were affected by the bombings with "click here for information on this location" type links, all of which had nasty programs hidden in them that would auto-install if you clicked. These people are sick enough to prey on victims of such tragedies so imagine what they will try on you. If you get e-mails like Robert's just leave it alone if it says you must install something. If you get something with an attachment or whatever that just looks suspicious save it to a file, make sure your anti-virus has a fresh update from that day and then scan the particular file before opening it. Better safe than sorry is the rule with all these type things. Even beware of web sites where something pops up and says "your system may not be secure, click here for a free security check". Those are almost always loaded bombs too!