What is an ecard? How to (safely) send last-minute holiday greetings

If you would like to join in the retro fun and convenience of ecards this holiday season but still have some questions, mail.com has you covered! Keep reading to find out how to send an ecard – and how to do it safely.

By Alyssa Schmitt

 

What is an ecard?

An ecard, or “electronic card,” is a digital version of a traditional greeting card that can be sent by email or shared online. It often offers customizable images, designs, animations, and messages for different occasions.

Do people still send ecards?

They sure do! Even without a pandemic stopping people from shopping for paper cards and sending them by snail mail, the revival of the ecard makes a certain amount of sense. In these days where most people send a quick “Happy birthday” by text or social media, an ecard provides more of a personal touch without having to drive to a store to purchase the card, figure out the postage, and hope it gets delivered on time.

In other words, one of the main advantages of sending an ecard is it requires no advance planning! And don’t forget – the easiest way for mail.com customers to send email greetings is with our free ecards: special-occasion stationery right in your inbox.

Are ecards only for email?

Nowadays ecards are not just email attachments but come in the form of internet-based animations, sounds, and interactive images. You can usually choose whether to send them by email (as an attachment or share link) or to copy a hyperlink so you can share them on social media or send them by text.

Are ecards free?

If you’d like to send an ecard for a birthday, Hannukah, Christmas, or just to let someone know you are thinking of them, you can visit the website of a traditional greeting card company like American Greetings or Hallmark, which now offer ecard services as well. There are also companies that specialize solely in ecards, like Blue Mountain or 123Greetings.com.

These sites all offer at least some of their ecards for free, or you can send ecards for free during a trial period before deciding if you’d like to continue your subscription. Some email providers like mail.com also offer free festive designs you can use in emails marking special occasions like holidays and birthdays.

If you do decide to send free ecards this holiday season, make sure you select a reputable provider so you are not exposing your recipients to cybersecurity risks.

Is it safe to open ecards?

Unfortunately, there have also been reports this year that scammers have once again seized on ecards as a way to send people malware or phishing links. Since we have all become understandably wary about opening links and file attachments in spam texts and emails, the sight of an ecard in your inbox may fill you with dread and confusion instead of holiday happiness.

And you wouldn’t be wrong to hesitate – an ecard is the perfect place for a cybercriminal to hide malicious code because it seems so innocent and fun that many people don’t think twice before opening them. Use the steps below to help judge whether an ecard is real or a scam. When in doubt, don’t click!

How do I know if an ecard is safe?

After years of having to deal with phishing and other email and text scams, most people know better than to click on unfamiliar links or open attachments from unknown senders. So what do you do if you see a holiday ecard waiting in your inbox?

1. Look at who sent it. A legitimate ecard will have a notification or subject line listing the name or email address of the sender. Never open an ecard that doesn’t mention a real person you know by name. Anything claiming to be from an unnamed “friend” – or even worse, a “secret admirer” – could be a scam.
2. Look at the greeting card company the ecard is from. If you don’t recognize the name, google it and include the search term “scam.” If it is a familiar company, check that it is spelled correctly – no “Halllmark,” please!
3. Look at the spelling in the message. Not just the spelling of the sender and company name, but any other misspellings or grammar and capitalization errors in the email itself. Scam messages often contain such clues.
4. Look for a verification code. Legitimate ecard messages usually contain a code that you can use to open the card directly on the company’s website. If you still feel suspicious, search for and enter the company URL into your web browser yourself rather than clicking on any links in the message
5. Look at any links in the message. You should always examine links closely before clicking them. Hovering your cursor over links will usually display their true destination, so make sure they match the actual domain of the alleged card company. To be on the safe side, you can also use a URL checker.
6. Look into a good antivirus software. You should always have security software installed on your computer or other devices, and the software needs to be kept updated. This will afford you with some protection if you accidentally click a phishing link or open something you shouldn’t.

What is the difference between an ecard and a digital card?

As you read this article, you may have found yourself wondering about digital cards as well. A “digital card” is a broad term that can include various types of electronic cards that are shared online, including greeting cards as well as digital versions of gift cards, business cards, and more. An “ecard” is typically a digital version of a traditional greeting card that is designed to be sent and viewed on the internet. It usually mimics the style of paper greeting cards, but often includes animations or music.

Now that you know that you still have plenty of time to send those holiday greetings, why not take a minute to leave us some feedback below? And if you still don’t have a mail.com account, sign up for free today!

This article first appeared on December 22, 2022, and was updated on December 19, 2024.

Images: 1&1/GettyImages