I just got an email that said...

You have just received a virtual postcard from a family member!

You can pick up your postcard at the following web address:

It then displays an innocuous looking link that actually links to an entirely different address. The address that it actually links to is an IP followed by what looks like a normal address. The way URL’s work, the "normal looking address" part is not the domain, the IP is. It ends with "postcards.gif.exe". Many who have taken the time to look at the actual address might see the "postcards.gif" and assume it’s an image, and then click "open" when proepted what to do after the click on the link.

I was first suspicious when the email failed to mention which family member was sending it. I had no intention of clicking on it even if it was actually to a regular address. That it leads to an executable program tells me that it’s a virus of some sort.

Always be cautious of emails like this. You may really regret it if you ever fall for one. My sister in law wound up completely trashing her entire computer by opening an email attachment. They had to throw the computer away and go buy a new one.