Fake Hallmark Christmas Cards emails Carry Malicious Messages

[Pankaj_gehloach]

Instead of a heart-warming holiday greeting, some online Christmas cards are delivering malware that can infect the computers of the unlucky recipients.

Reported by Help Net Security, the spam e-mails appear as legitimate online Hallmark greeting cards sent from the address [email protected] The message within the fraudulent cards urges people to forward the e-mail to “7 people within 60 seconds to receive your one year blessing.”

It’s less blessing, more curse, according to Help Net Security, which warned about a .zip file attached to the cards. Clicking on the link introduces malware into the user's computer and presents the user with the opportunity to purchase antivirus software that turns out to be fake.

Security researchers warn people to be careful over the next few weeks, as cybercriminals come out in droves to take advantage of the busy online shopping season.