WARNING! Virus Alert! This is no joke! If you get this email I suggest you DONT open it!! Protect your computer!

[crum98]

This is a big virus warning for anyone with emails.
You might have gotten an email from a friend some day that said dont open an ecard from hallmark or you will get a virus.
If you thought it was a bunch of baloney, you were wrong.
Today I got an email that said 'you have received an ecard from someone!'
So I opened it.
It didnt work, but now there is this tab that says 'warning-security' at the bottom that wont go away, and when I looked at it, it said that a virus is in my computer. (right after I closed the email!)
You dont have to do this, but its just a warning if you dont want any viruses.

I would suggest deleting this. It has been mostly reported in spam folders.

Go to post 8 for some info on what you can do and about what Hallmark is doing from TTGTTG.

[cutiebug343]

Thanks so much for the warning! I hope your computer's virus goes away.

[b1uski3sxox]

OMG I JUST CHECKED MY EMAIL... it was in my spam folder... do I delete it or what?! I'm scared to open it.

[crum98]

Originally Posted by b1uski3sxox

OMG I JUST CHECKED MY EMAIL... it was in my spam folder... do I delete it or what?! I'm scared to open it.

Yea I would just delete it before you open it.

Just found out, when you delete it, some things might go away. (the tab did)

[MissLa77]

Oh yeah, my friends computer crashed and can't be repaired because of that virus....

[b1uski3sxox]

Originally Posted by crum98

Yea I would just delete it before you open it.

Just found out, when you delete it, some things might go away. (the tab did)

Deleted the message, nothing happened (other than the message being deleted )
Phew. Crisis averted! Though I realized I have a Mac, and they're supposed to not get any viruses... but still. I'm all paranoid of my computer. *pats computer very gently*

[clever]

Originally Posted by b1uski3sxox

Deleted the message, nothing happened (other than the message being deleted )
Phew. Crisis averted! Though I realized I have a Mac, and they're supposed to not get any viruses... but still. I'm all paranoid of my computer. *pats computer very gently*

Yeah! Macs Rock! *high five* But my mom accidently opened one of those, and it sent the email to everyone in our contacts, but not as bad as what could happen.

[TTGTTG]

Very good thread - as I received an e-mail this afternoon stating that someone sent me a Hallmark e-greeting. Felt like something wasn't right, so I went to Hallmark's website, and there is actually a warning there about spam being sent out impersonating Hallmark

Hallmark gives you the following warning (taken directly from Hallmark's official site):

Hallmark is one of several greeting card companies being targeted via fraudulent e-mails that are flooding the Internet. These e-mails claim to have a link to an E-Card from a family member, friend or neighbor. Clicking on the link downloads a virus onto your computer that compromises personal data.

Please read below to find out:

What you can do
What Hallmark is doing
How to tell if a Hallmark E-Card notification is real
E-mail Safety Tips

What you can do:

• Delete the e-mail without opening it.
• If you have opened it and want to forward it to us, send it to abuse@hallmark.com. Due to the large amount of e-mail we receive at that address we will not be able to reply to your e-mail, but we will investigate. Then delete the e-mail from both your inbox and your sent folder. If you click on the link in the bogus e-mail, you will launch a Trojan virus. This virus installs an Internet Relay (IRC) chat client and causes the infected computer to connect to an IRC channel. Attackers then use that connection to remotely command your machine for the purpose of gathering your personal information. An example of this virus is the Zapchast virus.
• If you use Windows XP and Internet Explorer you should visit update.microsoft.com to update your browser and operating system. Then you will be less likely to be affected by the virus.
• Report suspicious e-mail to your e-mail service provider so they can take action.
• File a complaint athttp://www.ic3.gov/.

If you are unsure if you've received a legitimate Hallmark E-Card, don't click on a link in the e-mail. Instead locate the EG or PG number in the e-mail and use our E-Card pickup.
What Hallmark is doing:

• Contacting the Internet providers identified as the source of the spam requesting that they shut down the imposters.
• Working with Microsoft to include the virus code in their phishing filter to protect consumers who use their web browser and e-mail client software.
• Working with anti-virus software corporations to get the virus code added to virus definition updates.
• Reviewing Hallmark’s E-Card notification and pickup procedures.
• Educating consumers about how to avoid E-Card abuse.

How to tell if a Hallmark E-Card notification is real:

1. Hallmark e-card e-mails do not include any attachments. To be safe, if you receive an e-card notification with an attachment delete it immediately then empty your "trash" or "deleted e-mails" from your email client.
2. A legitimate Hallmark e-mail notification will come from the sender’s e-mail address, not Hallmark.com.
3. The sender's first name and last name will appear in the subject line. If you do not recognize the name of the person sending the E-Card, do not click on any links in the e-mail. Delete the e-mail.
4. The notification will include a link to the E-Card on Hallmark.com as well as a URL that can be pasted into a browser.
5. The URL will begin with Hallmark Cards | Free Ecards, Greeting Cards, Birthday Gifts, Gold Crown Stores, Keepsake Ornaments - Hallmark Cards followed by characters that identify the individual E-Card.
6. Hallmark E-Cards are not downloaded and they are not .exe files.
7. In addition, Hallmark.com will never require an E-Card recipient to enter a user name or password nor any other personal information to retrieve an E-Card.

E-mail Safety Tips

• Don't open e-mails you know are spam. A code embedded in spam advertises that you opened the e-mail and confirms your address is valid, which in turn can generate more spam.
• Don't open e-mails from unknown senders.
• Don't open attachments in e-mails unless you are expecting to receive one. If you receive an attachment that you are not expecting, even if it’s from someone you know, first read the e-mail and make sure the attachment is legitimate. If you're still not sure, call or e-mail the sender to confirm, but do not reply to the original e-mail.
• Don't click on links in e-mails that appear to be from financial companies (PayPal, banks, credit card companies, etc.) that direct you to verify or confirm account details. Instead, call the company if you are concerned about your account.

[KittyKat2750]

Great thread! 5 stars and rep! This really helps, and now I'm paranoid.
xDD

[disneyfreak102]

Thanks for telling me! I will be careful!