How to spot suspicious links

Suspicious links are often used to steal personal information or install malware on your device. Here are some tips to help you spot them:

1. Check the URL:
   Look closely at the link’s web address. Legitimate websites usually have URLs that match their company name exactly, while phishing links may use slight misspellings or extra characters (e.g., “www.paypa1.com” instead of “www.paypal.com”).
2. Hover over the link:
   Hover over the link with your mouse (without clicking it) to see the actual destination. If the link doesn’t match the description, don’t click!
3. Look for “https”:
   Secure websites use “https” in their URLs, rather than just “http”. Having “https” in the URL doesn’t 100% guarantee the site is safe, but it’s a good sign.
4. Watch for unusual characters:
   Links with odd characters or long strings of numbers and letters may be phishing attempts.
5. Be cautious with shortened links:
   URL shortening services like bit.ly or tinyurl can be used to hide malicious sites.
6. Trust your instincts:
   If a link looks suspicious or a message you receive seems out of place (unexpected or too urgent), err on the side of caution and don’t click the link.