LinkedIn, the popular professional networking platform owned by Microsoft, takes security very seriously. As part of protecting its users’ accounts and information, LinkedIn does send out security-related emails from time to time.
What types of security emails does LinkedIn send?
Here are some of the common security-related emails that LinkedIn sends to users:
Email verification
When you first create a LinkedIn account, they will send you an email asking you to verify your email address. This ensures that you provided a valid email that you control when signing up. You’ll need to click on a confirmation link in the email to complete the verification process.
Suspicious activity notifications
If LinkedIn detects suspicious or unusual activity related to your account, such as logins from unknown devices or locations, they will alert you via email. These emails let you know the details of the suspicious activity and provide steps you can take to secure your account.
Security alerts
LinkedIn may send security alerts regarding potential threats impacting LinkedIn accounts in general. For example, if there is a phishing scam targeting LinkedIn users, they may send an email warning about it and how to stay safe.
Password reset emails
If you initiate a password reset for your LinkedIn account, you will receive an email from LinkedIn with a link to reset your password. This allows you to securely change your password.
Two-factor authentication emails
If you enable two-factor authentication for enhanced security on your LinkedIn account, some of the two-factor verification codes will be sent via email when logging in.
Are the security emails from LinkedIn legitimate?
With phishing scams and spoofed emails being common, you may be wary about acting on security emails from LinkedIn. However, as long as the email is sent from an official @linkedin.com email address, you can be confident it is legitimate.
Some ways to verify a LinkedIn security email is real:
- Check that the “From” address ends in @linkedin.com, @lnkd.com, or @ls.linkedin.com
- Hover over any links in the email to see if they direct to a legitimate LinkedIn URL
- Log into your LinkedIn account directly (not through any links in the email) to see if there are any security notifications
- Look for LinkedIn’s official logo and branding within the email
As an additional precaution, you may want to contact LinkedIn customer support to ask about the authenticity of a security email if you remain uncertain.
What security emails can you expect from LinkedIn?
Here is a more comprehensive overview of the different security-related emails LinkedIn may send users:
| Email Type | When It’s Sent | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Email verification | Immediately after creating your account | To verify your email address is valid |
| Suspicious activity alert | After detecting suspicious account activity | To inform you of unusual account activity |
| Security alert | When LinkedIn is aware of security threats | To warn about hacking attempts, phishing scams, etc. |
| Password reset | When you request a password reset | To allow you to securely reset your password |
| Two-factor authentication | When logging in with two-factor enabled | To send your two-factor authentication code |
| Account security reminder | Periodically or if your account seems vulnerable | To remind you to enable security features |
| Security update notices | When LinkedIn makes security changes | To inform you of important security updates |
What should you do when receiving a LinkedIn security email?
If you receive an email from LinkedIn related to your account security, here are some tips on handling it:
- Don’t panic – the email is likely legitimate as long as it comes from @linkedin.com or @lnkd.com
- Check the email address it was sent from closely
- Hover over any embedded links before clicking to inspect their actual URLs
- Log into your LinkedIn account directly in a separate browser window to verify any notifications
- Be cautious of any requests for sensitive personal information
- Contact LinkedIn support if you have any doubts about the email’s authenticity
- Enable suggested security features like two-factor authentication when applicable
- Change your password if you notice suspicious activity or are prompted to
Following secure email practices like these will help keep your LinkedIn account protected.
How can you increase LinkedIn account security?
To further safeguard your LinkedIn profile and data, here are some proactive steps you can take:
Use a strong unique password
Always opt for a complex, unique password for your LinkedIn account that you don’t use on other sites. This prevents criminals from gaining access if passwords from other breached sites are leaked.
Enable two-factor authentication
Activating LinkedIn’s two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring both your password and a verification code to log in. This prevents unauthorized access.
Be wary of third-party LinkedIn apps
Thoroughly vet any third-party LinkedIn apps before connecting them to your account – malicious apps can be fronts for stealing data.
Review privacy settings
Check your LinkedIn privacy configurations and limit the personal data that is visible to strangers and the general public.
Monitor account activity
Routinely check your LinkedIn account settings to see login activity and watch for any unknown sessions.
Contact support if compromised
If your account is ever compromised, immediately contact LinkedIn support to lock it down and assess the breach.
Conclusion
LinkedIn leverages email as an important communication channel to help keep users secure. Emails cover account verification, suspicious activity, password resets, two-factor codes, and other security topics. While scam emails exist, valid LinkedIn security emails can be identified by the @linkedin.com or @lnkd.com sender address and official branding. If you receive a suspicious security email, do not rush into action – instead verify it directly with LinkedIn. Enabling security features like two-factor authentication and strong unique passwords is also recommended to maximize your account safety.