What makes a download link in email feel legit?

1. How do you check the legitimacy of a link in an email?
2. Are links in emails safe?
3. Can clicking a link in an email cause a virus?

How do you check the legitimacy of a link in an email?

If a suspicious email contains a link, you can verify its legitimacy. Move your cursor over the link, but do not click it, hold your cursor there for a few seconds, and the destination of the link will pop up. A link that appears to go to one location, but actually links to another is a big red flag.

Are links in emails safe?

Malware, viruses and other types of malicious material can be easily downloaded to your server or computer by clicking a link – it doesn't have to be just an attachment. Watch out for unfamiliar links – especially if somebody is claiming to share a file with you from places like Dropbox or OneDrive.

Can clicking a link in an email cause a virus?

Clicking on a phishing link or opening an attachment in one of these messages may install malware, like viruses, spyware or ransomware, on your device. This is all done behind the scenes, so it is undetectable to the average user.