WARNING - do not click on hyperlinks unless you are sure you trust the source!
Be careful when opening links & attachments in forwarded messages because the sender may not even realize the link or attachment is dangerous – the "danger" (virus/malware/etc) can be on running on their computer without realizing it. So the sender could be a trusted source that doesn't even know they are sending harmful content!
Links can contain any text or graphics so it may look like they will take you to a legitimate or trusted website but can actually open something completely different (& may even look exactly like the official site)!
You can hover your mouse over the hyperlink and it should display the url (web address) that link will open (see image below)
Use caution when you click links in e-mail messages, text messages, pop-up windows, or instant messages. Instead, type Web addresses in a Web browser, or use your online Favorites or bookmarks.
HTML-formatted messages can contain links or forms that you can fill out just as you would fill out a form on a legitimate website.
Phishing links may contain all or part of a real company's name and are usually masked, meaning that the link you see does not take you to that address but somewhere different, usually an illegitimate website.
Notice in the following example that resting (but not clicking) your mouse pointer on the link reveals the real web address, as shown in the box with the yellow background. The string of cryptic numbers looks nothing like the company's web address. This is a suspicious sign
Common phishing scams:
Spoofs of businesses that you know and trust. These are e-mail messages that purport to be from companies or services that you know and trust such as your bank and could contain urgent messages with threats of account closures or other alarming consequences.
Rogue security software scams.
These are e-mail messages, Web sites, or pop-up windows that tell you that your computer is unsafe. If you download the software they offer so you can receive help, you could damage your system or waste money on software that you don't need.
You might see a phishing scam:
- In e-mail messages, even if it appears to be from a coworker or someone you know.
- On social networking Web sites.
- On Web sites that appear to accept donations for charity.
- On Web sites that spoof familiar sites but that use slightly different Web addresses.
- In your instant message (IM) program.
- On your cell phone or other mobile device.
If you think you might have malware on your computer, go to safety.live.com and scan your computer to check for and remove unwanted software.
For more info - Microsoft.com - How to reduce the risk of online fraud
US-CERT.gov - Email Scams
