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

Telemundo Welcomes Back ‘Exatlón Estados Unidos’ for Exciting 10th Season

Exatlón Estados Unidos, the longest-running sports competition series on Spanish-language television, is…

Reform-Conservative Alliance: A Political Power Shift on the Horizon?

This piece is adapted from our Inside Politics newsletter. Subscribers can register…

Exclusive: Lesley Ann Warren & Colleen Camp Revisit Iconic ‘Clue’ Film 40 Years Later – Insights on Their Timeless Careers

When the live-action adaptation of the beloved board game Clue hit theaters…

Jennie, G-Dragon, and Lay Zhang Lead the Charge: 2025 Asian Pop Music Awards Nominations Unveiled

“Who wants to rock with Jennie?” Apparently, the Asian Pop Music Awards…

Coca-Cola’s AI Ads Revive Nostalgic Polar Bears: A Perfect Blend of Innovation and Tradition

The holidays have always been a tapestry woven from threads of shared…

Analyzing 2025’s Most-Streamed Songs: The Enduring Popularity of Shaboozey’s ‘Tipsy’ Despite No New Releases

Topline In a fascinating twist for 2025, Apple Music’s Top 10 most-streamed…

Breaking: USCIS Halts Immigration Applications from 19 Countries Affected by Trump’s Travel Ban

Topline In a recent development, U.S. immigration authorities have temporarily halted immigration…