A phishing scam or other fraud designed to steal your personal information. The card could contain links that take you to a fraudulent Web site that could compromise your computer.

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.

Recognize the sender of the e-card. If you're unsure of the sender, do not trust the card. Companies should have standard, clear ways for you to recognize that the e-mail is not a fraud. For example, with MSN Greetings, the "from" always shows "Ecard from MSN Greetings" as the display name and "ecards@msn.americangreetings.com" as the e-mail address. Make sure you check both the display name and e-mail address of the sender.

When in doubt, use alternative viewing methods. Do not click any links when you are not sure of the sender or intent of the email. For example, if you use MSN Greetings, you can view your greeting on the MSN Greetings Web site. Type msn.americangreetings.com into your Web browser and click the link in the upper right-hand corner that says ecard pickup.

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 and What to do if you've responded to a phishing scam. (If you feel that you have received a fraudulent e-card email claiming to be from AmericanGreetings.com, Sally Babcock has a request: "Please submit your example to security@americangreetings.com to help in our investigations").

Use established greeting card sites such as MSN Greetings or American 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.