From the looks of local e-mail inboxes in recent weeks, there’s been a surge of long-lost family members, schoolmates, neighbors, partners, colleagues and even “worshippers” sending an online greeting card.
But apparently none of us are really suddenly popular.
Instead, the messages are but one more avenue hackers are using to infect computers with a malicious worm damaging to Windows-based computers.
As explained on Snopes.com, Postcard scam messages look like they were sent from a legitimate e-card site, with a statement that the card will be viewable for 30 days and an offer to send one in reply.
“Sending out phony e-card notifications is therefore an effective method of camouflaging viruses and inducing unwitting recipients into clicking on links that install malicious programs onto their computers,” Snopes said.
“A wave of malicious messages sent out in June 2007 employed that very technique, arriving in inboxes bearing subject lines such as ‘You've received a postcard from a family member!’ in an attempt to induce recipients into clicking links that install a variant of the Storm Trojan, ‘an aggressive piece of malware that has been hijacking computers to serve as attacker bots’ since early in 2007,” it continues.
Local News
Think you’re suddenly very popular? Think again
- Local News
-
-
Massive crane lifts old theater from Spring Lake
Every job requires the proper tool. So it was on Thursday when the old Submarine Theater was finally lifted out of Spring Lake.
-
Teachers of the Year
-
Saturday Memorial Day ceremony to pay tribute
The public is invited to attend the annual Memorial Day ceremony at the San Marcos City Cemetery at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 26, sponsored by San Marcos American Legion Post 144.
-
Ruiz makes presentation about tax risks for boomers
Ruben Ruiz, local author and CEO of the Ruiz Financial Group, LLC and Money Concepts, recently presented at the National Group Conference, at the Fairmont Orchard Hotel on the big island of Kona, Hawaii.
-
HOT coming to Wimberley
The Heart of Texas (HOT) Chorus is coming to Wimberley for a free performance – and the public is invited.
-
2012 seniors to sweep San Marcos
The San Marcos High School seniors of the Class of 2012 will be out in force Saturday, cleaning up downtown, hoping that passers-by and local residents will donate $1 each to Project Graduation, the annual drug and alcohol free celebration for the senior class to celebrate their high school graduation.
-
Texas leading state for small business
In recognition of National Small Business Week, Texas Workforce Commissioner Tom Pauken shares some good news about our state’s positive climate for small businesses.
-
City plans park dedication in the name of San Marcos soldier killed in Afghanistan
The family of Capt. Paul Peña, the city of San Marcos, San Marcos Academy and representatives of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point will dedicate a park in honor of the fallen soldier at a special Memorial Weekend ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday.
-
Cemetario del Rio
- Burn ban off – for now
- More Local News Headlines
-
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
