Clicking the 'unsubscribe' option might be a deceptive tactic
Revamped Newsletter Advisory: Fake Unsubscribe Tricks Exposed
Hey there! Ever wondered if the "Unsubscribe" button on your emails is trustworthy? Let's dive into the nitty-gritty details.
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But beware, scammers have gotten clever, employing tactics beyond deepfaked audio and AI-generated images. These crooks often take advantage of ordinary email tactics, such as fake unsubscription links.
Be Wary of Deceitful Unsubscribe Links
Generally, legit emails like newsletters, online shopping promotions, and charity fundraiser requests include an "unsubscribe" option in the form of a hyperlink at the email's bottom. However, cybersecurity experts warn: trust isn't always guaranteed.
"Nothing is completely secure over the internet. My trust lies with my email client, but I never know what's inside it," says Keanini, DNSFilter's CTO [1].
This mistrust stems from clicking links, which lead you from your 'safe' email client to the open web, posing its own set of security concerns. According to DNSFilter, one out of every 644 email unsubscribe links could send you to potentially malicious sites.
Why Scammers Target Your Inbox
Tricking people into unsubscribing from emails provides scammers an easy way to confirm human presence on a target email address. But powerful consequences can follow if a real user interacts with spam.
Worse yet, fake unsubscribe links could direct you to URLs that mimic legitimate-looking websites, aiming to steal your login credentials [2].
Rest assured, authentic business platforms won't ask for your username and password after clicking their email's unsubscribe button.
Spotting the Scams in Your Inbox
Fortunately, it's usually easy to recognize the scams cluttering your inbox:
- Check Suspicious Domains: Before clicking an unsubscribe link, hover your mouse to preview the URL. If the domain doesn't match the sender's brand or looks unfamiliar or misspelled, avoid clicking it.
- Look for Spammy Language: Fake unsubscribe emails often have generic greeting lines (e.g., "Dear user") or spelling/grammar errors. These are warning signs.
- Verify the Source: Ensure the email comes from a legitimate company. If you don't recall subscribing to the sender or the email's name seems unrelated, don't click the unsubscribe link.
- Examine List-Unsubscribe Headers: Legitimate unsubscribe options usually appear as built-in buttons in popular email clients, like Gmail or Outlook. Use these whenever possible.
Cautiously navigate your inbox and keep digital scammers at bay!
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[1] Source: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-06-10/scammers-are-going-after-your-email-unsubscribe-links[2] Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/30/dont-click-unsubscribe-heres-how-to-avoid-fake-links-in-emails.html[3] Source: https://www.consumerreports.org/scam-alert/fake-unsubscribe-links-why-you-shouldnt-click-them/[4] Source: https://www.privacysOS.org/blog/top-10-tips-for-avoiding-email-fraud[5] Source: https://www.imore.com/how-unsubscribe-email-lists-mac-iphone-ipad-ios
- Given the increasing number of fake unsubscribe links, it's crucial to be mindful of potential cybersecurity risks while managing your email subscriptions.
- To maintain your cybersecurity and avoid clicking on potential scams in your inbox, keep an eye out for suspicious domains, spammy language, and verify the source of your emails before unsubscribing.
