Hyperlink Security

It is easy to send an email and make a hyperlink appear that it will lead to a trusted site when in fact it will lead to a spam site or worse, trigger a virus download. To safeguard your computer and your identity, it is important to check all suspicious emails for fake hyperlinks.

First, remember that reputable organizations will not automatically subscribe you to newsletter lists so unless you subscribed to something always assume that any and all unsolicited email is spam or faked. This is especially true of nonprofit fund raisers who, for the most part, will not send you any unsolicited email.

How Hyperlinks are Faked in Emails

The imaginary email in question might say “Help save animals today ... click here.” Or the email might even show an actual hyperlink url like this: http://aspca.org. But what you see is not always where you will end up if you click on these links.

How to Check Emails for Fake Hyperlinks Using Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Expresses Email

If you use Microsoft Outlook to view your mail it is easy to check to see if an email has legitimate hyperlinks. In the email:

• Hover over the link and a popup box will appear giving you the source address.

Facebook Emails

Always check the hyperlink source when you get a Facebook email. You can do this by hovering your mouse over the link. A pop up box will appear showing you the actual source of the link.

• Above info taken from About.com.

Informational Videos

Mac

Checking links before you click to open them on a MAC

PC

Checking links before you click to open them on a PC