LinkGuardThe LinkGuard blog
Scam alerts, link safety and how to stay one step ahead
Plain-English guides to scam texts, phishing links and QR code fraud, plus practical steps for checking a link before you tap it.
Fake package delivery text: how to spot it and what to do
That 'your package could not be delivered' text is almost always a scam. Here are the red flags and the safe way to check.
Unpaid toll text scam: why that 'final notice' is fake
Texts claiming you owe a small toll are a widespread smishing scam. Learn the red flags and the safe way to check.
How to check if a link is safe without clicking it
Practical steps to inspect a suspicious link, from reading the domain to using a link scanner.
Fake bank alert texts: how to tell a real warning from a phishing scam
'Suspicious activity on your account' texts often lead to fake login pages. Here is how to verify a bank message safely.
QR code scams (quishing): how they work and how to stay safe
Fake QR codes on parking meters, menus and emails can send you to phishing pages. Here is how to scan safely.
Shortened links hide the destination: how to unmask them
Short links from bit.ly-style services hide where you will land. Learn how scammers use them and how to check one safely.
I clicked a scam link. What should I do right now?
A calm, step-by-step checklist for the first hour after tapping a phishing link or entering details on a fake page.
Look-alike domains and punycode: when 'paypal' is not PayPal
Scammers register domains that look almost identical to real brands. Here is how to spot swapped letters, extra words and disguised characters.
How to report scam texts, phishing emails and fake websites
Where to send scam reports in the US and elsewhere, and why reporting helps even when you lost nothing.
Does the HTTPS padlock mean a website is safe? No. Here is why
Scam sites use HTTPS too. Learn what the padlock actually tells you and what to check instead.
How to protect elderly parents and grandparents from online scams
Practical, respectful steps to help older relatives spot scam texts, calls and links without making them feel foolish.
How to check if an online store is legit before you buy
Seven quick checks to spot fake online stores, from domain age to payment methods, and how a Deep Site Scan helps.
What is phishing? The main types, explained simply
Phishing, smishing, vishing and quishing in plain English, with examples and the one habit that defeats most of them.
Fake job offers and 'task scams' on WhatsApp and SMS
Unexpected messages offering easy online work for daily pay are a scam. Here is how the 'task' scam works and how to avoid it.
How to scan QR codes safely on Android
Simple habits for scanning QR codes without landing on a phishing page, and how to preview a code's destination first.