Cyber criminals who commit online fraud are now adopting new tricks to dupe people. Now scammers have made the Unsubscribe link their new weapon. Cyber security experts have warned that the link that seems to help you get rid of emails can now become the cause of your trouble.
Every day, hundreds of promotional emails, fake job offers and feedback requests come in inboxes like Gmail. To avoid this, we often press the 'Unsubscribe' button. But this link is not real every time.
Scams often mimic legitimate emails
Fake unsubscribe links in emails are a type of phishing scam where clicking the link can lead to various harmful outcomes like redirecting to a fake website, malware downloads, or revealing your email address as active to spammers. These scams often mimic legitimate emails, making it difficult to differentiate them from genuine unsubscribe links.
How Fake Unsubscribe Links Work
PhishingClicking the link may take you to a fake website that looks like the real one, designed to steal your login credentials, personal information (like name, address, phone number), or financial details.
Malware Download
Some fake unsubscribe links are designed to automatically download malware or viruses onto your device when clicked, compromising your security.
Email Address Tracking
Clicking the link confirms that your email address is active, making it a target for future spam or more sophisticated phishing attacks.
Redirect to Suspicious Sites
The link may simply redirect you to a site with no clear purpose, or to a page asking for more information before you can unsubscribe.
How to Protect Yourself
Hover before you click
Before clicking any unsubscribe link, hover over it with your mouse to see the actual URL it will direct you to. If it looks suspicious or different from the sender's domain, do not click.
Verify the sender
Double-check the sender's email address. If it's from an unfamiliar or suspicious source, be cautious about clicking any links.
Don't enter personal information
Legitimate unsubscribe links will not ask for sensitive information like passwords, credit card details, or social security numbers.
Mark as spam
If you suspect a scam, mark the email as spam to help your email provider filter out similar emails in the future.
Be cautious of unsolicited emails
Avoid clicking on unsubscribe links in emails that you didn't expect to receive.