When Sacha receives a suspicious email claiming to be from CircleCash, what should he verify?

Verifying that the link leads to a legitimate domain is crucial in assessing the authenticity of a suspicious email. Phishing attacks often employ email messages that contain links to fake websites designed to appear similar to legitimate sites. If Sacha is able to confirm that the link in the email redirects him to a legitimate CircleCash domain, it provides significant reassurance that the email is not a phishing attempt. This verification typically involves examining the URL of the link, ensuring it matches the official website address, and checking for signs of security, such as HTTPS encryption.

In contrast, just because an email comes from a known contact does not guarantee its legitimacy; their account may have been compromised. The timing of the email can provide context but does not directly impact the verification of the email's content. Similarly, checking account settings, while important for security, does not validate the authenticity of the communication itself and would be more relevant after determining the email's legitimacy.