Phishing emails are designed to trick you into clicking links that look legitimate but actually lead to fake websites, malware, or scams. The most important defense is to never trust a link at face value—always check where it really goes before clicking. Here’s how to do it safely on both Mac and iPhone:
On Mac:
- When you see a link in an email or message, don’t click right away. Instead, move your mouse pointer over the link and hover—don’t press any buttons.
- Most email programs (like Apple Mail, Outlook, or Gmail in your browser) will display the true destination at the bottom of the window or in a small pop-up.
- Carefully read the full web address (URL).
- Make sure it matches the company or person it claims to be from.
- Watch out for subtle misspellings, extra words, or strange-looking domains (e.g.,
apple-support-login.com instead of apple.com).
On iPhone:
- Apple’s Mail and many messaging apps try to be helpful by showing a preview of the web page when you press and hold a link. But that preview can hide the full address. To see the real destination:
-
- Press and hold the link until a preview appears.
- Look for the option to ‘Hide Preview’—usually at the top right or bottom of the preview window—and tap it.
- Once the preview is hidden, the full URL should be visible.
- Double-check that the domain is legitimate and not a clever imitation.
- If anything looks off, don’t tap the link.
Extra Tips:
- Be especially cautious with links that urge immediate action, claim your account is in danger, or promise rewards.
- When in doubt, open a new browser window and manually type the website’s address instead of clicking the link.
- Never enter your password or personal information on a website you reached from a suspicious link.
By taking a few extra seconds to hover or press-and-hold (and hide the preview), you can see through scammers’ tricks and keep your information safe.
