Hitting 'Unsubscribe' to Annoying Emails Isn't Safe Anymore
Share this @internewscast.com

Opting out from an email list should be straightforward. Yet, it rarely sticks — many find themselves unsubscribing from the same list a year later.

Unfortunately, that’s not the main concern anymore. Selecting the unsubscribe option has transformed into a security hazard. Cybercriminals are exploiting the “unsubscribe” feature to entice clicks and harvest personal data.

TK Keanini, the chief technology officer at DNSFilter, mentioned to the Wall Street Journal recently that using the unsubscribe link can result in phishing attacks and security vulnerabilities. In fact, DNSFilter reports that approximately one in every 644 clicks on unsubscribe links redirects to a “potentially harmful website.”

There are several ways this can affect an unsuspecting email user. The lowest risk is that hackers now know you are an active email with a person behind it. This will most likely lead to scammers building a file on you to make you are future target for ransomware attacks, getting you to shop on fake websites, or sending you malware.

Worst case, the unsubscribe link exposes your device to malware immediately, but one expert told The Journal that it is not the best tactic, fortunately. Too many things would need to align, they said, including that the browser has a vulnerabilty.

Still, the best way to fight back, experts told The Journal, is to use Apple’s “Hide My Email” feature, if you are an Apple customer, or send the emails to spam without hitting unsubscribe.

You can also set up a free Gmail or other email account specifically for shopping, newsletters, and spam.

Hitting “unsubscribe” from an email list seems simple enough. Except, rarely does it ever fully work — we all know we’ll be unsubscribing from that same list in a year.

Too bad that’s no longer the biggest worry. Hitting the leave-me-alone box is now a security risk. Hackers are using the “unsubscribe” button as a means to get you to click and capture your personal information.

The rest of this article is locked.

Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

NASCAR Unveils 2026 Season Schedule with Start Times and Broadcast Details

The schedule for the 2026 NASCAR season, including the Cup Series, O’Reilly…

Miami Leads ACC Rankings but Faces Potential Absence from Conference Title Game and College Football Playoff

In early October, the University of Miami’s Hurricanes found themselves in a…

Discover the Exclusive £1,200 Yellow Gold Sovereign Coins: A Limited Edition Release by Royal Mint

The Royal Mint is set to reignite excitement among collectors, historians, and…

Unlock the Hidden Value: Why Silver is Outshining Gold and How Your Old Jewelry Could Turn into a Cash Bonanza

Everywhere you turn, whether it’s a newspaper or a news website, there…

Why Britain’s AI Innovators Are Defying the Tech Bubble Warnings: A Deep Dive

The global surge in artificial intelligence continues to make waves, propelling the…