A JPG (or JPEG) file is a type of image file that uses a form of compression that allows it to store a large number of colors and details in a relatively small file size. This makes JPG files highly versatile and suitable for sharing over the internet or via email, where file size limitations are common.

Cybercriminals and distributors of illegal material know that hesitation is their enemy. By making a link time-limited (e.g., “valid for 24 hours”), they create artificial urgency. Victims rush past warnings, disable antivirus software, or ignore common sense.

The goal is to prevent you from:

Legitimate file sharing does not rely on opaque, time-sensitive strings of random words.

If you click such a link, one of three things will happen — none of them good.

Many Upfiles links shared on untrusted sources are wrapped in ad-based URL shorteners. Clicking through can lead to: