Why Clicking ‘Unsubscribe’ Can Be Risky

In this Tech Insight, we look at why clicking the ‘unsubscribe’ link in an email might not be as safe as it seems, and how cybercriminals are using this tactic to profile victims, deploy phishing attacks, and gather intelligence for future scams.

Why the Unsubscribe Link Isn’t Always Safe

The warning comes from TK Keanini, Chief Technology Officer at cybersecurity firm DNSFilter. Speaking recently to The Wall Street Journal, Keanini explained that unsubscribe links embedded in spam emails are increasingly being used by cybercriminals as a means of identifying active users and directing them to malicious websites.