Why You Should Be Careful Clicking Links Sent by Friends

Most people know not to click suspicious links from strangers.

But what many people don't realise is that a link from a friend, family member or someone you trust can also be dangerous.

In fact, sometimes a message from someone you know can be more convincing than a message from a stranger.

"But My Friend Sent It"

A common reaction is:

"It's from my friend, so it must be safe."

Unfortunately, that is not always true.

If someone's account has been hacked, scammers may use that account to send messages to everyone in their contacts.

The message appears to come from someone you trust, but the person sending it may actually be a criminal who has gained access to their account.

How Does This Scam Work?

A typical hacked account scam looks like this:

Step 1: A Criminal Gains Access

A scammer may steal someone's:

• Email account.

• Facebook account.

• Instagram account.

• WhatsApp account.

• Other online accounts.

They might get access through:

• A stolen password.

• A fake login page.

• A leaked password from another website.

• A phishing message.

Step 2: They Send Messages To Contacts

Once inside, the scammer sends messages to friends and family.

The message might say:

• "Look at this photo!"

• "Is this you in this video?"

• "You won't believe this!"

• "Can you vote for me?"

• "I found something interesting about you."

The goal is to make you curious enough to click.

Step 3: The Link Attempts To Trick You

The link may take you to a fake website that asks you to:

• Log in.

• Enter your password.

• Download a file.

• Install an app.

• Provide personal information.

The scammer's goal is usually to steal your account details or install unwanted software.

Why Are These Messages So Effective?

Because they use trust.

A message from:

• Your child.

• A close friend.

• A family member.

• A colleague.

feels much safer than one from an unknown person.

Scammers understand this and deliberately target trusted relationships.

The technology is different, but the trick is the same as someone pretending to be someone you know in real life.

How To Spot a Suspicious Message

Ask yourself:

"Does this sound like something they would normally send?"

Warning signs include:

• A friend who never sends links suddenly sending one.

• A strange message with no explanation.

• Poor spelling or unusual wording.

• Pressure to click quickly.

• Requests to log in or enter information.

• Messages that seem too exciting or surprising.

For example:

A friend who normally sends messages about family or hobbies suddenly sends:

"OMG look what I found about you 😂"

That is worth questioning.

The Safest Rule: Verify First

If a message feels unusual, do not click the link.

Instead:

• Message your friend separately.

• Call them.

• Ask: "Did you send me this link?"

If their account was hacked, they may not even know messages are being sent.

Taking 30 seconds to check could prevent hours of fixing a hacked account.

What If The Link Looks Like It Goes To A Real Website?

Be careful.

Scammers can create websites that look almost identical to genuine ones.

A fake login page can copy:

• Company logos.

• Colours.

• Fonts.

• Layouts.

You may think you are signing into Facebook, Microsoft, Google or another service when you are actually giving your password to a criminal.

If you need to visit a website, open your browser yourself and type the address manually.

What If I Already Clicked It?

Don't panic.

Clicking a link does not always mean you have been hacked.

However:

• Do not enter any passwords.

• Do not download anything.

• Close the page.

• Run a security scan if you downloaded a file.

• Change your password if you entered login details.

• Enable two-factor authentication if available.

If you entered the same password on other websites, change those too.

A Simple Rule To Remember

If a message from someone you know feels unusual, treat it like it came from a stranger until you confirm it.

Friends and family can accidentally become the source of scams if their accounts have been compromised.

A quick message asking "Did you send this?" is not rude.

It is good online security.

The Bottom Line

The internet has changed how we communicate.

Years ago, you would recognise someone's handwriting or voice. Today, a message can appear to come from someone you trust even when it does not.

Don't let familiarity override caution.

If a link is unexpected, unusual or out of character:

Stop. Check. Then click if you're 100% sure.