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Language Foundation

suspicious email

A suspicious email is an email message that appears likely to be unsafe or fraudulent because it shows signs of phishing, malware, or another security threat.

In plain English

This means the message shows warning signs that it may not be safe to trust. Those signs suggest possible phishing, malicious software, or another kind of security threat.

In context

Here, "suspicious email" communicates that the message has signs of being unsafe or fraudulent and should be treated with caution.

Situation
Responding to phishing, suspicious activity, fraud, and compromise alerts
What it communicates
labels the message as requiring caution.

Meaning limits

By itself, this term does not prove that the email is definitely malicious or fraudulent.

Examples

“The suspicious email warned that his account would be locked unless he opened the attached file.”

Core meaning

“After spotting a suspicious email in her inbox, Lena deleted it without opening the attachment.”

In context

  • email message Broader Term

    A suspicious email is a kind of email message.