Press Releases & News
Protect your Family and Friends from Seasonal Online Threats
500 Million E-Cards will be sent this Christmas, many of them can contain unwanted ‘presents’
Amsterdam, Netherlands. 20 November 2008 - People are turning to e-cards as a low cost and eco-friendly way to deliver the season’s greetings to friends and loved ones.
Yet new research by global internet security firm AVG Technologies found that of the 200 members of the public it polled, almost three quarters (74%) said they would automatically open an e-card if it were from a friend or colleague.
The message, warns AVG, is to pick your e-cards very carefully.
“Criminals are using this growing medium to deliver viruses and other security threats to the computers of their unsuspecting victims. Because the e-cards are often sent from a trusted party, usually a friend or relative, they fool the recipient into opening them,” said Mike Foreman, Managing Director AVG Technologies UK.
E-cards are considered such a risk that in America the FBI has issued formal warnings, after fraudulent emails were sent in the name of the Deputy Director.
Research from AVG’s labs indicates an estimated 500 million e-cards and greetings will be sent online this Christmas.
If only 0.1% of e-greetings sent during this festive period contain a security threat – that’s still tens of thousands of damaged PCs. This adds up to a great deal in terms of lost family photos and videos, lost work, and emails.
The good news is that these internet security threats can be avoided. Experts at AVG Technologies have compiled five free tips so that internet users can send and receive e-cards with peace of mind.
- Don't open attachments: Most legitimate e-cards are links to the company's website that allow you to go directly to your card. Avoid attachments and don't download anything from a source you don't recognize.
- When in doubt, delete: If something looks a little strange or “phishy,” such as the name of the sender or vague subject lines, just delete the card. It's better to do that than run the risk of getting a virus.
- Know where you’re going online: Use security software* that detects sites that push online scams, adware installations, attachments filled with viruses and other downloads that could harm your system.
- Know what to look for: While most e-card scams actually look legitimate, there are usually some tell-tale signs to look for. Watch out for misspelled words or names, not knowing who sent you the card, a disguised name (such as Your Friend, A Secret Admirer, etc.), and an odd URL.
- Always read fine print before accepting any terms: Make sure you actually read the fine print before agreeing to anything. Some e-card scams list in their terms that they can send email to everyone in your address book. Make sure you know what you are agreeing to.
*This doesn’t have to cost a penny, download AVG Free edition with Linkscanner technology here: http://free.avg.com.
For more independent information on AVG Free and how Linkscanner protects you, try this link: www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/191715/avg-antivirus-free-edition-80.html
About AVG Technologies
www.avg.com
AVG is a global security solutions leader protecting more than 80 million consumers and small business computer users in 167 countries from the ever-growing incidence of web threats, viruses, spam, cyber-scams and hackers on the Internet. Headquartered in Amsterdam, AVG has nearly two decades of experience in combating cyber crime and one of the most advanced laboratories for detecting, pre-empting and combating Web-borne threats from around the world. Its free online, downloadable software model allows entry-level users to gain basic anti-virus protection and then to easily and inexpensively upgrade to greater levels of safety and defense in both single and multi-user environments. Nearly 6,000 resellers, partners and distributors team with AVG globally including Amazon.com, CNET, Cisco, Ingram Micro, Play.com, Wal-Mart, and Yahoo!.
PR contacts:
Siobhan MacDermott, AVG Technologies
E-mail: siobhan.macdermott@avg.com
Mobile: +420 725 695 132 or +1 415 299 2945
UK Media Contact:
Robert van der Meulen, CitySavvy
E-mail: robert@citysavvy.com
Phone: +44 207 395 1000