8 Steps to Take After Clicking on a Phishing Link in 2024

Phishing scams are everywhere, whether through email, social media, text messages, or others. In 2022, they were the leading type of scam in Singapore. To your surprise, cyber criminals send 3.4 billion phishing emails every day. The worst part is that AI is helping scammers deploy even more sophisticated phishing attacks than ever before.

Even if you are conscious of phishing attacks, you can still fall victim off guard. So, if you feel that you have clicked a phishing link or phishing attachment, then you have to act fast. In this guide, we are going to discuss 8 crucial steps you must take after clicking on a phishing link.

8 Steps to Take After You Click on a Phishing Link

Once you have clicked on a phishing link, you should spare no minute and act promptly. Here, are the key steps you must follow immediately:

1.      Disconnect Device from the Internet

First thing first, you should immediately disconnect from the internet after you have clicked the phishing link. This will break the connection between the scammer's server and your device and block them from further accessing your device or data.

2.      Use Antivirus Software to Scan for Malware

Often, a phishing link contains malware, which gets installed once you click the link. Now that you are disconnected from the internet, you should use antivirus software to scan your device deeply and detect malicious software. If there is malware installed, the scan will identify and delete it entirely to prevent malware from spreading further.

3.      Change Passwords to Prevent Phishing Attacks

Next, you should change your passwords of all accounts that seem to be compromised, especially the banking and email accounts. Avoid setting the same password credentials for all accounts. Try to create unique and strong passwords for all accounts with a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters and special characters. This way, you can ensure that your accounts and sensitive information are not reachable by hackers even if you have unintentionally shared login credentials with them.

4.      Enable Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication adds an additional security check before allowing you to access the account. It usually sends a One-Time Password (OTP) to your number or email, which you must enter in addition to your regular password to verify your identity before login. So, enable two-factor authentication for your accounts to further enhance cybersecurity. 

5.      Monitor Your Accounts

Keep a close eye on your financial and online accounts. Any unknown credit card transaction or activity will indicate that attackers have remote access to your account and personal data. So, try to review your account statements regularly, set up alerts for any suspicious activity, and report any unauthorized transactions to your bank or service provider immediately.

6.      Back-Up Data

Malware can extract data from your computer or even make the system unusable. Therefore, you must back up your important files, photos, videos, and other data on an external hard drive or USB drive. This will help you avoid losing important data.

7.      Report the Incident

You should also report the phishing incident to the relevant authorities. If it was your work email, then report the incident to the IT team. If it was your personal email or social media account, then report the incident to the relevant service provider.

8.      Spread Awareness and Learn from the Experience

The phishing incident is also an opportunity for you to learn from your mistakes and educate others as well. Look closely into elements that let you become the victim of this phishing attempt. Also, explain the whole incident to others so that they remain protected from these phishing tactics. 

Wrapping Up – Acting Fast is the Key to Tackle Phishing Scams

Phishing scammers will spare no time to compromise your accounts or device once you accidentally click a link and get into their trap. Therefore, it is important to act super-fast to protect yourself from further damage. The above 8 steps are crucial to break the connection between you and the scammers and ensure that they cannot cause any more harm. So, stay strong even if you have clicked the phishing link, act fast, and protect yourself and others.

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