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Should I Trust That Link?

9.10.21 | by Lance Fogarty

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Key Takeaways

• High Risk of Clicking Unverified Links: Clicking on links received via email, SMS, or messaging apps poses significant risks, as even the best IT security teams cannot fully protect against the repercussions of interacting with malicious content. Such actions can lead to severe consequences, including the theft of personal and financial information or company resources.
• Importance of Verification Before Interaction: To avoid falling victim to phishing scams, it’s crucial to validate the authenticity of any communication by using an alternative method of contact before clicking on links. For instance, if an email appears to be from a trusted source, confirm its legitimacy by calling the source directly or visiting the official website instead of clicking the provided link.

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Whether you receive a link via email, SMS, iMessage, Facebook Messenger, or any other communication method, click at the risk to you and others. Even the best IT security teams cannot protect you or the company when an erroneous link is clicked, or worse additional information is submitted on any ensuing webpage. While the victims in this article, 5 of the Biggest Phishing Scams of All Time, happen to be sizable companies, don’t fool yourself. Small companies and individuals are targeted daily.

Criminals use email, messaging, fake websites, and erroneous phone numbers to deceive or otherwise convince you to provide the access and information they need to achieve their objectives. Their goals can include stealing your identity, your passwords, credit and bank account information, company resources, and many other valuable credentials and sensitive materials. For additional information on this, read What Do Email Phishing Scams Do?

Even if it appears to come from a trusted source, validate using a dissimilar means of communication. If you feel that it is important enough, authenticate before you click. For example, you receive an email with a link, make a phone call. Another way to avoid these issues, if Microsoft sends you a link, go to microsoft.com directly.  

Unless you are 100% sure, don’t click the link.

If you are interested in delving more into this complex topic, ask us about the CLE we are writing which includes more details on this subject.