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Pause before clicking an unexpected link or opening a download. Check why the message arrived, verify who sent it and where the link really goes, and get files only from sources you can identify independently. HTTPS and browser warnings are useful signals, but neither a secure-looking address nor the absence of a warning proves a link or file is safe.
What warning signs should you notice first?
Phishing messages often impersonate a company or service you recognize, invent an account or payment problem, or pressure you to act quickly. An unfamiliar invoice, an unexpected request to update payment details, or a generic greeting can all be reasons to stop and check. Unexpected prize or reward claims deserve the same caution. The FTC advises people not to click links or download attachments in unexpected messages; email was the top method scammers used to contact people in 2024, according to the FTC’s April 2025 alert.
Context matters more than whether a message looks polished. A convincing logo or familiar name does not establish that the sender or request is genuine. Ask whether you expected the message and whether the requested action makes sense. If not, verify it outside the message before proceeding.
How can you check a link without opening it?
Check the sender and the actual destination
On a computer, hover over a link to preview its destination, then compare the URL with the link text and the organization named in the message. Google notes that a mismatch between a link’s URL and its description may indicate a phishing site. Check the sender’s full email address, too: a display name alone is not enough to confirm identity. If the sender, domain, or destination is unfamiliar or inconsistent, do not click.
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On a phone or tablet, a long-press may show a link preview, depending on the app. If you cannot inspect the destination confidently, avoid opening it and use a separate route to reach the organization instead.
Go to the organization independently
If the message claims there is a problem with an account, payment, or delivery, open the organization’s official app or type its known website address yourself. You can also contact it using a phone number or address you already trust. Do not rely on contact details included in the suspicious message.
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Do not treat HTTPS as proof
HTTPS indicates an encrypted connection, not that the site is the legitimate organization you intended to visit or that it is reputable. Microsoft recommends checking the address-bar URL even when a site has a valid certificate. Chrome also cautions that a download can be delivered insecurely even if the page that started it was secure.
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How can you assess a download before opening it?
- Ask whether you expected it. An unexpected attachment or file is a reason to stop, even if the message appears to come from someone familiar.
- Verify the source separately. Download only from a reputable source you can identify independently, such as the organization’s own site or app—not a link in an unexpected message.
- Respect browser warnings. Chrome may classify downloads as dangerous, suspicious, unverified, or insecure. If a suspicious-file scan remains inconclusive, Chrome’s guidance recommends cancelling rather than opening the file.
- Do not disable protections to get a file. A website’s request to turn off browser or security safeguards is not a reason to do so.
A file’s name or familiar icon does not establish that it is safe. If you cannot verify why you received it and where it came from, do not open it.
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What do browser protections check—and what are their limits?
Chrome Safe Browsing checks sites and downloads, while Microsoft Defender SmartScreen can warn about suspicious websites and downloads. These tools can help identify known or suspected threats; their descriptions are not a guarantee that every phishing page or harmful file will be detected. A warning is a reason to stop and investigate. No warning is not proof of safety.
Chrome offers Standard and Enhanced Safe Browsing. Google says Standard protection checks against lists of known unsafe sites and describes limited URL and data handling. Enhanced protection can warn about potential new dangers and perform more in-depth checks, with a different data-sharing trade-off. Review Google’s current explanation of the options and privacy implications before choosing a setting. Detection coverage and behavior vary by product and configuration, so automated screening should accompany—not replace—checking whether a request is genuinely expected.
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What should you do if you clicked or downloaded something?
If you only opened a link
Close the page if it looks suspicious, and do not enter a password, payment detail, or other personal information. Reach the organization through its official app, a known website address, or a trusted contact method to check whether the request is real.
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If you shared credentials or personal information
Use the affected service’s official recovery process, reached independently, to secure the account. If you disclosed sensitive personal information, use the FTC’s IdentityTheft.gov for tailored recovery steps. The FTC also recommends reporting phishing to the relevant service and to the FTC.
How can you reduce the damage from a stolen password?
Use multifactor authentication where the service offers it; the FTC lists a security key as one possible second factor. This does not inspect links or downloads, but it can add a barrier to account takeover if a password is compromised.
Quick Recap
Sources and further guidance
- FTC: How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams
- Google Gmail Help: Avoid and report phishing emails
- Microsoft: Securely browse the web in Microsoft Edge
- Google Chrome Help: Download a file
- Google Chrome Help: Safe Browsing protection levels
- FTC, April 2025: Protect yourself from phishing scams
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