Mouse Over

Often we receive emails that have a “link” to take us to a certain web page. Many times these emails and “links” look real and safe to click on. However, many times they are not.

Why is this?

What the “link” says it is and where the “link” actually takes you are two completely different things. It is very easy to say a “link” goes one place, when it is actually programmed to go somewhere completely different.

For example: You receive an email from your Credit Card company. The email looks legitimate. It has the correct logos and colors for the company. However, it wants you to do something. It wants you to click on a “link” for you to give further information or just read a helpful hint about security.

But how can you be sure it will take you to the Credit Card’s web page and not a malicious hacker web page? By knowing how to “mouse over” the link. Here’s what you do:

To the left is our email example. It is asking us to click on the link:

https://www.americanexpress.com/

But we want to make sure that link actually takes us to the page we think it should take us.

Take your mouse and move it directly on the link BUT DO NOT CLICK THE LINK. Notice what just popped up on the screen! The actual web address you will go to IF YOU CLICK THE LINK. Notice it does not take you to

https://www.americanexpress.com/

instead the link will take you to

http://forumjawa.atwebpages.com/AE2muZF0/index.html

Which isn’t the website you thought it would take you.

In another example shown below, if you use a web site to access your email like yahoo.com or gmail.com the link location could be in a different place. If you get a suspicious email like the one above, 'mouse over' the link (for this example, the link looks to go to www.yourbank.com). Now look at the bottom left of your screen. In that location will be the ACTUAL web address the link will take you to IF YOU CLICK THE LINK.

If the web address looks odd or is really long or has many running characters and numbers, chances are it is NOT the Bank’s web page but instead a malicious page. On the other hand, if it looks legitimate, it most likely is. At least now, you have vastly improved your chances of only going to legitimate web pages. If still uncertain, do not click on the link. This method works and it provides an insight to you in order for you to make a thoughtful and sound decision.

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