Methods, apparatus, and systems for preventing false packet acceptance in high-speed links. Under one aspect, correctable symbol errors are detected, and determination is made to whether a symbol error rate or ratio (SER) exceeds an SER threshold. In response to detection of such a condition, the link is disconnected or temporarily paused. The value for the SER threshold is determined using a statistical analysis of various link parameters to meet desired performance levels, such as a mean time to false packet acceptance (MTTFPA) of >approximately 15 billion years while providing a mean time to disconnect of >100 years.