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eCard Safety: Tips for Avoiding Phishing Scams
An eCard for business is a quick, eco-friendly way to send a greeting card to a colleague or client, especially when you’ve forgotten an occasion until the very last minute. However, before you fall victim to a phishing scam hiding behind something seemingly innocent and friendly, it’s essential to know how to ensure your eCard is safe to open.
What is an eCard?
An eCard is a digital greeting card that’s generally sent to someone by email. Some services now allow users to send an eCard in a text message. However, the card is not contained within the message itself, but instead includes a link where the recipient can view the eCard in their browser.
The Danger of Phishing Scams
Cybercriminals have become adept at hiding malicious code in something well-intended and (apparently) harmless, like an eCard. An eCard is an ideal phishing device because it gets your attention, seems personal, and you usually won’t think twice about opening it until it’s too late.
How to Identify a Safe eCard
Just because an eCard arrives on your birthday or another occasion doesn’t mean it’s legitimate. Here are specific steps to avoid falling victim to phishing schemes:
- Check the sender: Get into the habit of checking who the sender is before opening an email. Legitimate eCards that are safe to open are often sent from an eCard provider, and that’s the name that typically shows in the “From” box. If you don’t recognize the sender, don’t open the email.
- Check the subject line: If the “From” line does not include the sender’s name, the subject line usually does.
- Look for personal information: Before opening any eCard, first look for personal information that helps validate it.
- Inspect the email headers: To be extra sure the information you’re seeing is accurate, examine the email or “headers” of the message.
- Look for confirmation code: If you want to open it, don’t click the link — instead, look for the confirmation code that’s written somewhere in the email. Usually, you can go directly to the eCard provider’s website and enter this code to view your card, without clicking the link directly.
- Hover over the hyperlinks: If you’re positive the eCard is legitimate and most likely safe to open, hover over any hyperlinks to view the destination. Instead of clicking, just copy/paste the link destination into your browser.
Safeguarding Yourself with Malware and Spyware Protection
Even if you follow all the steps to validate an eCard and determine it is safe to open, you should still exercise caution. Open an eCard with great caution and only on a device with malware and spyware protection in place.
Conclusion
An eCard is a fun and convenient way to stay in touch with friends, family, and clients. However, cybercriminals often use eCards to entice unsuspecting recipients to click on phishing links, which can lead to identity theft and stolen financial information. By following the steps outlined above and using malware and spyware protection, you can enjoy eCards with peace of mind.