In Pictures: How to Spot an E-Mail Scam

Wonder whether the message announcing that you've received an e-card is legit? Or whether PayPal is really trying to contact you? Here's a visual guide to spotting malware, fraud, and other dirty tricks in your inbox.

Erik Larkin

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You've Got an E-Card--From the Storm Worm 1 of 11

How has the Storm Worm managed to insinuate itself onto more than a million PCs (and perhaps several million) worldwide? The bad guys behind it use slick and imaginative messages to deceive their victims. This wave from around August prompted recipients to download a supposed greeting card. Hallmark says that valid e-mail messages announcing an e-card should have subjects such as "A Hallmark E-Card from [name of the sender]"; the company lists other tip-offs in its notice about fraudulent messages. (Image provided by Postini.)