Did you click on this headline? If you are reading this, the answer is “yes.”

Cybercriminals capitalize on trending topics of the day and are especially skilled at using fear and anxiety to make you click, buy, or respond to malicious communications. This example headline, that provokes concern, is a good example of the way they manipulate emotions.

Over the last several weeks we’ve seen a lot of people forwarding emails to us that look quite legitimate from financial institutions or supposedly from government institutions asking for people to click on a link, to update their information, or click here to get information on the November election.

As we all know, the upcoming election promises to be controversial and, based on the way votes are counted, the nation may not know the results on election night.

Hackers and other foreign actors are actively working to use this possible confusion to trick you into revealing your password, opening an infected file or luring you into a scam.

The FBI announced—be on the lookout—both at work and at home—for emails that promise updated election results, new or breaking stories about one of the candidates, “click-bait” type Subject lines that promise a “bombshell” piece of news, and so on.

If you have older friends and relatives, be sure to warn them about this.  These criminals will be using email, and especially Facebook—to lure them into a click.  Warn them not to click and not to share.

Be smart, be suspicious and be sure to check any suspicious communication with a trusted source.