Word meaning to scrutinize skeptically?

Question

The word I'm looking for is how one should be in order to avoid getting phished or scammed.  It's not specific to that circumstance, but I'll use it for the sake of easy context.
As in,

She checked the URL before clicking, and avoided answering the
question about her mother's maiden name, she was so _____!

Adjectives or verbs are fine.
Words that are close but not perfect include:
Scrutiny: it seems to be more about, i.e., looking over your work trying to find mistakes, and lacks the defensive connotation I'm looking for.
Skepticism: it also doesn't imply defensiveness in the way I'm thinking. It also doesn't imply savviness or correctness, i.e., climate skeptics.
Suspicion is close, but is maybe TOO negative and sounds more like paranoia.  It should apply equally to not clicking on shady emails as it does to logging into your bank's website and checking the connection security. More about consistently paying attention.

Laurel · Accepted Answer

Vigilant. It's a word that exemplifies the fact that people are out there actively trying to get you and that you should be cautious:

keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties. — Lexico

As in:

Is That Email Legitimate? Remain Vigilant by Spotting Email Phishing Scams

fev · Answer

Circumspect could be a term you could use. It means:

careful not to take risks:

Officials were circumspect about saying what the talks had achieved. (Cambridge)

About this term Vocabulary.com says:

If you are circumspect, you think carefully before doing or saying
anything. A good quality in someone entrusted with responsibility,
though sometimes boring in a friend.
The word circumspect was borrowed from Latin circumspectus, from
circumspicere, "to be cautious." The basic meaning of Latin
circumspicere is "to look around." Near synonyms are prudent and
cautious, though circumspect implies a careful consideration of all
circumstances and a desire to avoid mistakes and bad consequences.

So your sentence would look like:

She checked the URL before clicking, and avoided answering the question about her mother's maiden name, she was so circumspect!

There is also the noun circumspection.

Tinfoil Hat · Answer

You could try the adjective prudent — characterized by, arising from, or showing prudence.

She checked the URL before clicking and avoided answering the question about her mother's maiden name, she was so prudent!

Here’s the definition of the noun prudence (see especially 4):

1 : the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason
2 : sagacity or shrewdness in the management of affairs
3 : skill and good judgment in the use of resources
4 : caution or circumspection as to danger or risk
Source: Merriam-Webster —
prudence

Phil Sweet · Answer

Leary.

: SUSPICIOUS, WARY —often used with of
leery of strangers
She seemed a little leery of the proposal.

“Leary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leary. Accessed 13 Jul. 2021.

viktor_von · Answer

Dubious is probably the most fitting adjective to use in this circumstance.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dubious

2b. questionable or suspect as to true nature or quality // the practice is of dubious legality

Word meaning to scrutinize skeptically?

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