Think Twice Before Clicking ‘Unsubscribe’
Think Twice Before Clicking ‘Unsubscribe’
That innocent link might clean your inbox—or make you a bigger target
Your inbox is full—again. Emails you don’t remember signing up for are rolling in with promises of once-in-a-lifetime travel deals, miracle supplements, or questionable crypto advice. And at the bottom of each one, there it is:
“Click here to unsubscribe.”
Tempting, right? But before you hit that link, here’s something you need to know: clicking “unsubscribe” can sometimes do more harm than good. And in some cases, it could even open the door to serious cybersecurity risks.
Why That Link Isn’t Always What It Seems
I t’s easy to assume that the unsubscribe link is a safe way to stop annoying emails. But cybersecurity experts say that’s not always true—especially if the email came from an unknown sender.
“Trust is relative. I trust my email client, but I don’t trust what’s inside the email,”
– TK Keanini, CTO at DNSFilter
Clicking that link often takes you out of your secure email platform and onto the open web , where you’re exposed to potential threats—phishing scams, malware, or websites designed to steal your information.
What’s the Worst That Can Happen?
You might be thinking: It’s just an unsubscribe link. What’s the big deal?
Here’s what experts say could happen:
✅ You confirm you’re a real person
Spammers want to know which emails are reaching actual people. When you click the link, you’re telling them, “Yes, I’m here—and I’m paying attention.” That makes your email address even more valuable to them.
🧠 They build a profile on you
Once they know you’re real, cybercriminals can begin collecting more information to try more targeted scams later on.
🕸️ You land on a malicious website
Some unsubscribe links redirect you to fake login pages or sites that try to trick you into downloading malware.
“If the page asks for your password to unsubscribe, that’s a red flag,”
– Michael Bargury, CTO and Co-Founder, Zenity
So What Should You Do Instead?
Don’t worry—there are safe alternatives that help you take control without compromising your safety:
1. Use your email provider’s built-in unsubscribe option
Most email services (like Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo) now show a trusted “Unsubscribe” button near the sender’s name. These are usually safer, because they don’t direct you to unknown websites.
2. Mark it as spam
If the sender looks shady or you never signed up in the first place, don’t engage. Mark it as spam and let your provider handle the rest.
3. Create filters
Set a rule to automatically delete or archive messages from that sender going forward.
4. Use a throwaway email
Sign up for promos or newsletters using a disposable email address. Apple’s “Hide My Email” lets you create random, private email addresses that forward to your main inbox—so you can cut off spam at the source.
“If it gets spammed, just turn it off. Problem solved.”
– Charles Henderson, EVP of Cybersecurity Services, Coalfire
Final Thoughts
Managing email clutter is important—but so is protecting yourself. That one-click solution might seem like the easy way out, but it could make you more vulnerable than you think.
So next time you’re tempted to click “unsubscribe,” ask yourself:
Do I really know where this link is taking me?
If the answer is “no,” then it’s safer to leave it alone.
Stay smart. Stay safe. And keep your inbox—and your identity—secure.
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