What to Do if You Click on a Phishing Link? 5 Life-Saving Steps

Malware includes many tools hackers use to steal sensitive information from the victim’s devices. One of the fastest spreading and easily used tools is phishing. This tool involves deceiving the victim by pretending to be a credible organisation or person to lure them into following a link that will steal their information.

Phishing is sometimes difficult to detect, especially if the hacker studied the victim’s network well and was posing as a personal acquaintance or using a publicly-trusted organisation’s name to complete their scam. Through this article, we will learn what a phishing link is, how hackers attempt to scam victims, and what you can do if you click on a phishing link to save your data.

What is a Phishing Link?

A phishing link is a fake link the hacker sends to the victim. It poses as a valid link to lure the victim into giving out personal information, sharing login passwords or credentials, or opening an attachment that will steal their sensitive data. There are two forms of phishing; the first is when the hacker sends the link to your email, which is called phishing. The second form is when the hacker sends the link to you via text messages, called smishing.

What Happens to Your Device When You Click on a Phishing Link?

When you click on a phishing link, this will install some form of malware on your device, such as spyware, viruses, or worse—ransomware. Generally, this happens without your detection. The malware might steal your information or send more phishing links to people on your contact list, or the hacker can use your device for crypto-mining. In the case of ransomware, the hacker will encrypt your data and ask you for ransom in exchange for the decryption key.

Unfortunately, hackers are making phishing attempts more sophisticated, making them harder to discover, with more people falling for them. The problem with phishing is they pose as someone you trust, and many don’t think twice before opening a link they’d received from a trusted contact. This emphasises the importance of scanning every received link or attachment, regardless of how trustful the sender is.

What Do You Do If You Click on a Phishing Link?

In case you clicked on a phishing link and found malicious software installed on your device, received a ransom request, or suspect the link you clicked might be malicious, you need to follow these steps:

Disconnect

The first important step is disconnecting from the internet, which is the way the hacker collects data from your device. If you disconnect the internet, the malicious software cannot send data back to the hacker. If you’re using a wired connection, just unplug the connection cord right away, and if you’re using a Wi-Fi connection, turn it off from the settings on your computer. If the wireless connection refuses to disconnect because the hacker is manipulating your device’s settings, turn off the Wi-Fi router to disconnect the service entirely.

Back-Up

After disconnecting from the internet, you should back up the files you recently worked on. Data backup is an essential process regardless of a phishing attack. In this case, if you regularly back up your data, you need to only back up the recent one you haven’t backed up just before the phishing attack. Data backup is important because it can be accidentally destroyed when recovering from a phishing attack.

When selecting files to back up, focus on important files, such as sensitive work files, family photos, and videos. If you’ve never backed up your data, choosing which files to focus on will make recovering faster from the phishing attack easier. You can use several methods to store your backups, such as an external hard drive, a USB drive, or even CDs. Nowadays, you can get USB and external drives at lower costs.

Scan for Malware

If you don’t have much experience dealing with computer viruses, it’s better to take your device to a computer specialist who knows how to check for malware after you’ve backed up your data. However, if you’re savvy with computers, you can run a full system scan from your antivirus software after disconnecting your device from the internet. Most antivirus software will show an error message that they can’t connect to the internet; just ignore the message and proceed with the scan; you need to avoid reconnecting to the internet to prevent the malware from stealing your data.

After a recent attack on your device, the antivirus scan may take some time, so you should avoid using the device until the scan is complete. Follow any cleaning or quarantine instructions that the software produces at the end to dispose of harmful files. When you’ve disposed of any harmful files, run a second scan to ensure the antivirus software doesn’t produce any more harmful files on your device. If your device still has problems after running the second scan, or you just want to be sure it’s safe to use again, you can take it to a specialist.

Change Passwords

A phishing link is a tool to install malware on your device that will steal sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card pins, login credentials, and, most importantly, any online banking information. If you believe you’ve clicked on a phishing link, it’s best to change the credentials you previously used on this device. The best way to ensure your new credentials are safe is to use another uninfected device to change them. Otherwise, you will be giving the hacker what they wanted.

You must use different login credentials for all online services, or you’ll just be making the hacker’s work easier. If he can access one account, he can access the remainder of your accounts. Use strong passwords with letters, numbers, and characters, and make sure they are no less than eight figures. If you have a password generator, this will help you create strong and unique passwords.

Fraud Alert

A fraud alert is when you request to place a notice on your credit cards that alerts your creditors that you’ve been a victim of fraud such as identity theft. This might seem extreme, but with the continuous development of malware, a hacker can swiftly steal your information without your knowledge and use your credit card information to buy goods or withdraw money. When you ask to place a fraud alert on your credit card with one creditor, they are required by law to notify all creditors in the market. This step helps prevent the creation of any new cards under your name until the alert is removed.

This step seems like a far stretch, but if you’ve clicked on a phishing link, your credentials are all in danger, and it’s better to be safe until the danger has surpassed.

How to Protect Yourself from Future Phishing Attacks?

Phishing attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself:

Be Vigilant and Sceptical

In today’s digital age, phishing attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated. One of the most effective ways to protect yourself from these scams is to maintain a healthy dose of scepticism and vigilance. By carefully examining emails, links, and requests, you can identify potential threats and avoid falling victim to phishing schemes.

1. Verify the sender’s address: Phishers often use spoofed email addresses that resemble legitimate ones. Carefully examine the sender’s address to ensure it matches the expected domain. If it’s off even slightly, be cautious.
2. Beware of urgent requests: Phishers frequently create a sense of urgency to manipulate recipients into hasty actions. If an email demands immediate attention, especially regarding sensitive information, take a moment to assess the situation calmly.
3. Avoid clicking on suspicious links: Hovering over a link without clicking will reveal its true destination. If the URL appears unfamiliar or suspicious, avoid clicking on it. Instead, try manually typing the correct website address.
4. Check for spelling and grammar errors: While occasional mistakes can occur, numerous errors are a red flag. Phishers may overlook proper grammar or spelling, as they often create emails quickly. If you notice multiple errors, be wary.

Use Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication

In the digital age, robust security measures are essential to safeguard your personal information. Strong passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA) are crucial defences against phishing attacks. By implementing these practices, you can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorised access to your accounts and protect yourself from online threats.

1. Create strong passwords: Weak passwords are easily compromised. Use upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols to enhance security. Avoid predictable patterns or personal information that could be easily guessed.
2. Avoid reusing passwords: If a single password is compromised, all accounts linked to it are at risk. Employ unique passwords for each online service to minimise the potential damage of a breach.
3. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA): MFA adds an extra layer of protection by requiring a second verification form, such as a code sent to your phone or email. Even if your password is compromised, MFA can prevent unauthorised access.

Stay Updated with Security Patches

Regular software updates are crucial for maintaining a secure online environment. Security patches address vulnerabilities that malicious actors, including phishers, can exploit. You can protect your devices and data from potential threats by staying up-to-date.

1. Keep your software up-to-date: Software developers regularly release updates to address security vulnerabilities. By installing these updates promptly, you can protect your devices from exploitation. Neglecting updates can leave your systems vulnerable to attacks, including phishing scams.
2. Use reputable antivirus software: Antivirus software protects against malicious software, such as viruses, worms, and Trojans. A reliable antivirus program can detect and remove harmful threats, reducing the risk of your device being compromised by phishing attacks.

Be Cautious with Personal Information

Phishers often target individuals by collecting personal information to craft convincing scams. To protect yourself, be mindful of the data you share online. Avoid disclosing sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, or social security numbers in unsolicited emails or on suspicious websites.

1. Think before you share: Be cautious about the personal information you disclose online. Avoid sharing sensitive details like your full address, date of birth, or financial information on public platforms. Phishers can use this information to create personalised scams.
2. Avoid public Wi-Fi networks: Public Wi-Fi networks, such as those found in cafes or airports, are often less secure than private connections. Refrain from conducting sensitive transactions on public Wi-Fi, like online banking or shopping. Consider using a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your data and protect it from eavesdropping.

Report Phishing Attempts

Reporting phishing attempts is crucial for combating these scams and protecting others. Notifying your service provider and relevant authorities can help raise awareness and potentially prevent future attacks. Reporting phishing emails also provides valuable data to security experts who can analyse and address these threats.

1. Contact your service provider: If you suspect you’ve been the victim of a phishing attack, immediately report it to your email provider, bank, or any relevant service. They can take steps to protect your account and investigate the incident.
2. Report to authorities: Phishing is a serious crime. Consider reporting the incident to law enforcement agencies, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States or your local police department. Your report can contribute to broader investigations and help prevent future attacks. 

Phishing and smishing are fast-growing and sometimes cannot be avoided. When you suspect an email or a text message, it’s better to delete it without hesitation to keep yourself safe. It’s also wise to remember that legitimate organisations or people will never ask you to send sensitive information, such as credit card numbers, via email or text because these are highly insecure channels.

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