What to Do if You Click on a Phishing Link? Quick Guide

Key Takeaways

If you click on a phishing link, immediately disconnect from the internet and secure your accounts. The psychological impact of phishing can be significant, leading to stress, anxiety, and trust issues.

Phishing scams are quite common these days. Many business employees and individuals become targets of such scams.

Hackers make people click on phishing links, and this way steal their data.

It is important to know what to do if you click on a phishing link, the dangers of opening spam emails, and the unknown email attachments.

This knowledge is essential to mark yourself safe from cybercrimes.

What to Do if You Click on a Phishing Link?

Phishing links are deceptive URLs sent via email, text, or social media messages that look like legitimate websites.

These links typically appear in messages claiming to be from trusted organizations, such as banks, online retailers, or even government agencies.

The goal of phishing is to mislead the recipient into taking an action, such as entering their username, password, or financial details on a fake website, or downloading malicious software onto their device.

Well, if you have clicked on the phishing link, then you need to do the following things right away.

What to Do After Clicking a Phishing Link?

Part 1: Emergency Response (First 30 Minutes)

Step 1: Immediate Disconnection

Think of this like stopping the bleeding in first aid. When you realize you’ve clicked a phishing link:

Disconnection Methods:

• Windows: Click the network icon and select “Disconnect from network”
• Mac: Click the Wi-Fi symbol and select “Turn Wi-Fi Off”
• Mobile: Swipe down and enable Airplane mode
• Wired connection: Physically unplug the ethernet cable

Why This Matters?

Malware often needs internet connectivity to:

• Download additional harmful components
• Send your data to attackers
• Encrypt your files (in ransomware attacks)
• Spread to other devices on your network

Step 2: Immediate Information Gathering

Document everything while it’s fresh in your mind:

Essential Details to Record:

• The exact email or message that contained the link
• The website URL you were directed to
• Any information you entered (passwords, credit card numbers, etc.)
• Time and date of the incident
• Any unusual pop-ups or system behavior

Save Evidence:

• Take screenshots of suspicious pages
• Save the phishing email
• Note any error messages
• Record any unusual system behavior

Part 2: Account Security (Next 2 Hours)

Step 3: Password Changes

Change passwords in this specific order:

Email Accounts First:

• Primary email account
• Recovery email accounts
• Work email if accessed personally

Financial Accounts Second:

• Online banking
• Credit card accounts
• PayPal or other payment services
• Investment accounts

Other Critical Accounts:

• Social media
• Cloud storage
• Shopping sites
• Work-related platforms

Password Creation Guidelines:

• Use at least 12 characters
• Combine uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols
• Avoid personal information
• Make each password unique
• Example: "Tr@ff1c-L1ght-Blue-93"

Step 4: Financial Protection

Immediate Actions:

• Contact your bank’s fraud department:
  • Report potential compromise
  • Request a new card if needed
  • Ask about temporary account freezes
• Check all recent transactions:
  • Look back at least 7 days
  • Flag any suspicious activity
  • Document unfamiliar charges
• Set up alerts:
  • Transaction notifications
  • Login alerts
  • Balance changes
  • New account openings

Part 3: System Security (Next 24 Hours)

Step 5: Comprehensive System Scan

Full Security Sweep:

• Update your antivirus software first
• Run a full system scan (not quick scan)
• Use multiple scanning tools:
  • Primary antivirus (e.g., Norton, McAfee)
  • Malwarebytes for secondary scan
  • Windows Defender (if on Windows)
  • Specialized ransomware scanners

What to Look For:

• New programs you didn’t install
• Modified system files
• Unusual processes in Task Manager
• Changed browser settings

Step 6: Browser Clean-up

Complete Browser Reset:

• Clear all browsing data:
  • Cached images and files
  • Cookies and site data
  • Browsing history
  • Saved passwords
  • Autofill form data
• Check and remove extensions:
  • Review all browser extensions
  • Remove anything suspicious
  • Only keep essential, verified extensions
• Reset browser settings:
  • Homepage
  • Search engine
  • Privacy settings
  • Security configurations

Part 4: Long-term Security (Following Weeks)

Step 7: Enhanced Security Implementation

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):

• Set up 2FA on all accounts that offer it:
  • Use authenticator apps instead of SMS
  • Keep backup codes in a safe place
  • Enable biometric authentication where available

Security Monitoring:

• Credit monitoring:
  • Check your credit reports
  • Set up fraud alerts
  • Consider a credit freeze
• Account monitoring:
  • Enable login notifications
  • Review connected devices
  • Check account activity regularly

Step 8: Prevention and Education

Learn Common Phishing Signs:

• Email red flags:
  • Urgent or threatening language
  • Generic greetings
  • Pressure to act quickly
  • Requests for sensitive information
  • Poor grammar or spelling
• URL safety checks:
  • Look for slight misspellings
  • Check for HTTPS
  • Hover over links before clicking
  • Use URL preview tools

Preventive Measures:

• Email security:
  • Enable spam filters
  • Use email authentication
  • Be cautious with attachments
• Regular maintenance:
  • Keep software updated
  • Backup important files
  • Review security settings monthly
  • Update passwords quarterly

Special Considerations

For Work Devices:

• Report to IT immediately
• Follow company security protocols
• Don’t attempt fixes without approval
• Document all actions taken

For Financial Loss:

• Legal steps:
  • File a police report
  • Contact consumer protection agencies
  • Report to cyber crime units
• Documentation:
  • Keep all correspondence
  • Save transaction records
  • Note timestamps of actions taken

Remember: Acting quickly but methodically is crucial. Don’t panic, but don’t delay.

Follow these steps systematically, and don’t hesitate to seek professional help if you’re unsure about any step.  

The Psychological Impact of Phishing Attacks

While the immediate concerns of a phishing attack are often financial or technical, the psychological effects can be long-lasting.

Victims of phishing attacks may experience anxiety, guilt, or even paranoia about the security of their other accounts.

Stress and Anxiety

The realization that you’ve been tricked into disclosing sensitive information can cause significant stress.

Many phishing victims feel violated and anxious, especially when they worry about potential identity theft or unauthorized transactions.

Loss of Trust

Phishing attacks can also lead to a loss of trust, not only in the individuals or organizations targeted but also in digital communication overall.

Victims might become overly cautious or skeptical, avoiding legitimate emails or websites that are actually safe.

How to Cope With the Psychological Impact?

Take a Break: If you feel overwhelmed, step away from the situation and give yourself time to calm down.

Reach Out: Talk to a friend, family member, or counselor to alleviate feelings of stress and gain a clearer perspective.

Learn and Grow: Educating yourself about how phishing works can help you regain a sense of control and reduce future vulnerabilities.

Summary

Phishing websites trick you and get your sensitive details.

These fake sites look identical to popular recognized sites, and this way, by gaining your trust, ask you for your details. If you clicked on any such link, then avoid giving your details on it.

Now, as you have known what to do if you click on a phishing link, you can also follow the security steps to safeguard your device and important data.

Also Read Email Security Practices