Recently, someone reached out to let me know they’d experienced an issue on their Windows device after clicking a pop-up link that appeared to come from my website.

As someone who takes cybersecurity very seriously, I investigated this by running security scans on Norton, NordVPN, and Sucuri which confirmed that my site is safe and SSL-secured. I also asked a trusted third-party to test out my link and they were not able to replicate the issue, confirming that they did not see any odd pop-ups.

It’s possible that the individual’s device was already compromised by adware, browser extension, compromised wifi, or a cached redirect from a previous link that was not related to my website.

This experience inspired me to write this post encouraging all job seekers to exercise caution when connecting with “Career Coaches” or other online personalities, clicking on links, and downloading resources and templates.

Unfortunately, there are bad actors who may position themselves as a trusted resource with AI and other technologies, only to scam you.

Here’s what you can do to stay safe every time you browse, click, or download online.

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🔍 Always double-check the URL

Before clicking any link, hover over it (or long-press on mobile) to confirm the exact domain.

• Look for https:// and ensure the domain is spelled correctly.
• Cybercriminals often use tiny variations (ex: careerwalk1ngdeck.com instead of careerwalkingdeck.com) to trick users.

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🧰 Avoid downloading any unfamiliar file types

Cancel any instances where you see a .exe, .zip, or .scr file unexpectedly downloading (especially if you were expecting a PDF or PowerPoint file).

Legitimate templates, documents, or resources should never install software or run executables.

On my blog, links should redirect to legit websites like my official social profiles (LinkedIn, IG, TikTok, YT), Canva for templates, Substack/Mailchimp for my newsletter, and Stripe/Paypal for payment. There should be NO links that trigger any downloads onto your computer.

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🧹 Keep your browser and antivirus updated

Security patches and browser updates fix known vulnerabilities.

Use trusted security tools to run regular scans on your computer and catch any issues before they spread.

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🧩 Clear your cache and review your browser extensions

Sometimes, pop-ups or redirects come from browser extensions, not the website itself.

If you see any suspicious behavior:

• Open an incognito window and try the same link
• If the problem disappears, disable each extension one by one to find the culprit.

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💬 When in doubt, ask before you click or share any info

If something doesn’t feel right or looks off, please don’t proceed! Reach out to the creator or organization directly (via their verified site or social profile) and confirm the link’s safety. For anything regarding #kkarenism, you’re always welcome to reach out to me on LinkedIn.

Note: The only legitmiate pop-ups you should see on my blog are for signing up for my newsletter via Substack/Mailchimp.

Also, do not share your personal information or send money through unverified platforms. I have heard of fake recruiters trying to scam job seekers.

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Stay curious while staying safe

My website and all templates I share are hosted securely on legitimate platforms. I do use Google Adsense on some of my pages and will look into whether this is compromising the user experience.

Please remember to browse mindfully and keep your digital spaces protected. Your online safety matters as much as your career growth.