8 on Your Side: Some E-Cards Contain Hidden Dangers - 8 News NOW

8 on Your Side: Some E-Cards Contain Hidden Dangers

LAS VEGAS - Tis' the season for electronic holiday cards, but beware. Not all of them are safe to open.

E-cards are incredibly popular and, often, free, but many e-cards, unbeknownst to the sender, contain spyware, spam and viruses.

Scammers are smart – creating phony e-cards websites that look like legitimate e-card companies such as Hallmark.

If a recipient opens that card, however, they could unleash a Trojan horse on their computer.

Computer experts offer tips on how to prevent your system from being compromised. Never open an attachment. Never accept terms of service to open a card. If you are sending one, only use a company you know and trust and create the card directly from that company's website.

If you are opting for e-cards this year to save money, do your friends and family a favor and let them know you've got an e-card heading their way. That way, they aren't afraid to open it.

You can also avoid e-cards altogether and send paper-based holiday cards instead.