A link is suspicious when its real destination does not fit the words, sender, or request around it—but no visual clue can certify that a URL is safe. Before opening an unexpected link, inspect its destination if your device shows it, then verify the request through the organization’s official app, known website, or a phone number you already trust.
How can you tell if a URL may be phishing?
Look at both the address and the message that delivered it. Phishing messages often imitate a familiar company and create pressure with account trouble, payment problems, unusual activity, or a demand to confirm personal information. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends treating such messages cautiously and checking with the organization through contact information you know is genuine—not details supplied in the message. FTC guidance on recognizing and avoiding phishing
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- Compare the destination with the claim. If a message says it is from a bank but the link points somewhere that does not appear connected to that bank, do not open it. Google warns that a link’s displayed description may not match its URL. Google’s phishing guidance
- Notice pressure or unexpected requests. Urgent threats, surprise invoices, payment trouble, or requests for passwords and other sensitive details are reasons to pause and verify independently.
- Do not trust familiarity alone. A recognizable brand name, sender name, or professional-looking page does not prove the message or destination is genuine.
A mismatch is a warning, not a complete detection method: a link that looks consistent can still be deceptive. If a message link asks for your password, go directly to the service’s website or app instead of entering credentials on the linked page.
How can you check a link without clicking it?
On a computer
Hover over the link without clicking. Many mail and browser interfaces display its destination; read the address and compare it with the message’s visible wording and claimed sender. Google specifically recommends checking the URL this way on a computer. If your interface does not show a destination, or you are unsure what it means, do not open the link.
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On a phone
There is no single preview gesture that works across every phone, messaging app, and mail app. If you cannot confidently inspect an unexpected link, leave it unopened. Instead, launch the organization’s official app or type a website address you already know, or call a trusted number from a card, statement, or saved contact.
How should you handle shortened links?
A shortened URL hides the destination that would otherwise be visible in the address, so treat an untrusted short link as opaque until you verify why it was sent. CISA lists “Untrusted shortened URLs” among common phishing signs. That does not mean every shortened link is malicious; it means you should not rely on the short address itself as evidence of safety. CISA Phishing Tip Sheet (September 2024)
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If the link is unexpected, ask the supposed sender through a separate, trusted channel whether they sent it, or visit the organization through its known official site or app. Do not use a reply address or phone number included in the suspicious message as your only verification route.
Can a link be dangerous if it redirects?
Yes. The address initially shown may lead through one or more redirects, so it may not tell you where the browser ultimately lands. The official consumer guidance cited here does not establish a universal, risk-free way to reveal every redirect destination without contacting the link. For an unexpected or suspicious link, do not follow it just to find out where it goes; verify the underlying request independently.
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Avoid pasting private or sensitive links into third-party expansion or checking sites. The official guidance cited here does not endorse a particular service for safely tracing redirect chains, and a link itself may contain information meant only for its intended recipient.
What browser warnings can—and cannot—tell you
Chrome’s Safe Browsing setting provides another layer of protection, not a guarantee. Google says Standard protection warns about identified dangers, while Enhanced protection can also warn about potential new dangers. Google’s documentation explains that the levels differ in the browsing data sent to the company; review it before choosing a setting. A warning is a reason to stop, and the absence of a warning does not establish that a URL is legitimate. Google: Choose your Safe Browsing protection level in Chrome
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What to do if you clicked or shared information
If you entered a password
Contact the service through its official app or a known website, change the affected password, and secure the account. Turn on multi-factor authentication if the service offers it. If you reused that password elsewhere, change it on those accounts too.
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One-click scans. No signup required.
If you shared financial or identity information
Use IdentityTheft.gov for recovery steps tailored to your situation if Social Security, credit-card, bank, or other personal information may have been exposed. Contact the relevant financial institution through a known official channel if payment or account details were involved.
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If the link may have downloaded harmful software
Update your security software and run a scan, as the FTC advises. Follow the software’s instructions to remove any detected threats. FTC phishing guidance and recovery steps
Quick Recap
Report the message
- Forward suspicious email to [email protected].
- Forward suspicious text messages to SPAM (7726).
- Report the attempt to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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