If you are reading this article, it is safe to association that emails are, by now, like air for you – – you don’t think about it, yet it is one of the important parts of life. Then, spam emails, too, must be as much a part of your life. More often than not, you must be hitting the “unsubscribe” button to avoid them, but turn out, there can be Danger hidden in those.
The “unsubscribe scam” refers to a tactic where scammers embed malicious links disguised as newsletters or promots. Clicking on these can trigger phishing attacks, malware downloads, or flag your email as “active” for future spam.
“Nearly 1.2 per cent Business Owners, Freelancers, and Older Adults with these users tends to depend greatly on Email Communication.
According to him, most victims are lured by emails disguised as billing notifications, support alerts, or service renewals. “These users often have their email addresses published on multiple platforms, making it easy for scammers to craft convincing, legitimate-loting messages,” Ansari Told indianxpress.com.
According to Cybersecurity First Firm Dnsfilter, 1 in every 644 emails with an unsubscribe link is malicious, and that number is rising as scammers use social engineing to prey on.
The gmail unsubscribe trap
“This so so-called ‘unsubscribe’ scam is a growing falling technique,” Said Nivya Ravi, Director of Product, Bevigil and Svigil, Cloudsek. “Cybercriminals send mass emails with bold, enticing unsubscribe buttons. Signals like you’er likely to engage, “Explained Ravi.
“This Confirmation Can Result In Your Email Being Sold on the dark web or targeted with ransomware. Vulnerability, ”Said Ansari.
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Venky Sadayappan, Director and Practice Head, Cybersecurity, Arche, Concurred, Saying, “This makes your email a prime Target for Furher Attacks, Malware Attacks, Or Resale to Other Criminals.”
Why is the clicking ‘unsubscribe’ risky?
– Clicking, users are of directed to a fake website that looks logs, but are aimed at stealing sensitive data.
– The click may trigger downloads of spyware, raansomware, or trojans, compromising the device.
– Clicking, users may take to web pages where personal or financial information is collected.
How to distinguish between safe vs Dangerous Links?
SAFE UNSUBSCRIBE LINKS:
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– These emails come from verified and family domains (for example, @zomato.com@nykaa.com)
-Appear Via Gmail’s Built-in ‘Unsubscribe’ option that appears next to the sender’s name.
– These links do not ask for login credentials, personal information or even ask to download from a suspicious link.
– Typically redirects the user to a simple confirmation page.
– These emails are consistent in tone, language, and design with the brand’s usual communication.
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SUSPICIOUS UNSUBSCRIBE LINKS:
-These are sent from misspelled or shady-loting domains (for example, @deals-zomato.ru@offfers- dealz.online)
– Contain flashy or oversized buttons, often oddly placed or centered in the email, urging the user to click on it.
– Redirects users to login pages, suspicious forms, and even unexpected websites.
– May Feather Poor Grammar, Broken Formatting, Or inconsistent branding.
– Sometimes open attachments or trigger automatic downloads.
Best practices to stay safe
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Experts listed the following best practices to avoid falling prey to the unsubscribe scam.
Use Trusted Tools: Stick to Gmail’s Built-in unsubscribe option or use email filters. Privacy-Focused Tools Like Apple’s Hide My Email Can Help, But Check Their Policies First.
Avoid Risky Clicks: Don’t interact with emails from unfamiliar sources. Mark them as spam and block personnel offenders.
Strengthen Account Security: Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), Regularly Review Third-Party App Access, and Keep Browsers and Apps Updated.
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Practise inbox hygiene: Avoid using your primary email id for random signups. Create Separate Folders or Use Aliases for Shopping and Subscriptions.
“In India, Cybeercrime Cells Like Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana have been linked to email scams that begin innocently but escalated into frud,” Said Ravi.
Always think of online movements as traps that would land you in trouble. Do not click on any link unless you are sure it is safe.
The safe side:
As the world evolves, the digital landscape does too, bringing new oportunities – And new risks. Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, exploiting vulnerabilities to their advance. In our special feature series, we delve into the latest Cybercrime Trends and Provide Practical Tips to Help You Stay Informed, Secure, and Vigilant Online.