If you think you’ve clicked a phishing link, there are a few things you need to know. In most cases, a phishing link is sent via email and is designed to trick you into downloading a virus, providing credit card information, account log in information, or other personal details.
They are often put together to look like an official email from a company or a bank you are familiar with, which can make it difficult to tell whether or not you’ve clicked on a phishing link.
The IT security experts at Pittsburgh’s CMIT Solutions have put together a guide on phishing emails to help you navigate the web safely.
Signs You May Have Clicked on a Phishing Link
Before you allow panic to set it, you need to check that you’ve actually clicked on a phishing link. When determining whether you clicked on a phishing link, you need to look for any inconsistencies in the sender’s links, email addresses, and domains.
We recommend hovering over the link before you click to preview where the URL leads to. It should show this information in a pop-up near your cursor or at the bottom of the screen. If the domain doesn’t exist, then it is likely it is a phishing link.
Phishing links also tend to include urgent or unusual requests and also have language filled with grammatical errors within the email. Additionally, you can scan your device for malware to determine whether or not you’ve downloaded any malicious files.
Can They Steal My Information Simply By Opening a Phishing Email?
It is highly unlikely that a cybercriminal can access your information just by you clicking on a phishing email. These emails are more commonly programmed to require the user to download an attachment or click on a phishing link to infect their device.
With constant advancements in technology, we advise against opening any spam emails to ensure your data is protected.
What Happens if I Click on the Phishing Link?
Depending on how the email was set up, there are a few things that can happen by clicking on a phishing link.
Cybercriminals may receive information from you or about you.
When you click on a phishing link, oftentimes, the hacker will receive basic data about you, such as device statistics, location, or other information you’ve provided.
Cybercriminals may exploit your network or contacts.
When you click on a phishing link, it can breach your entire network or contacts by providing hackers with the opportunity to send your contact list phishing emails or gain remote access to your computer.
Cybercriminals may install malware on your device.
When clicking on a phishing link, you may install malicious software such as spyware without even knowing it. These files can infect your computer or other device and allow cybercriminals to collect sensitive data from your device.
What Can I Do If My Device Has Been Compromised?
If you have determined that you’ve clicked a phishing link and believe your device has been compromised, then you need to disconnect the device from the internet and any other networks it is connected to. This is done to prevent synchronized devices from also becoming compromised with malware.
We then recommend you immediately contact your IT department and have them run a virus scan and delete any malware found. We also recommend that you reset passwords that could be compromised as quickly as possible.
Once you’ve taken these steps, close the phishing email and mark it as junk or spam, training your phishing detection software to flag it next time. It is also important to watch out for communication from family, friends, or colleagues who have received strange emails from you.
How Can I Prevent Clicking on a Phishing Link?
Prevention is key when it comes to data breaches. Here are a few ways to prevent clicking on a phishing email:
Implement Phishing Email Detection
We recommend using an email system that has an advanced detection scanner that scans all incoming email attachments. This will detect potential phishing emails and clock those with viruses or malicious files attached.
Keep Your Antivirus Protection Updated
Take the time to keep your antivirus and anti-ransomware software updated. Security software isn’t 100% guaranteed protection, so you need to run a regular scan and check that your virus definitions are updated.
Educate Employees on Phishing
This is extremely important to protecting company data. Train employees and yourself on the many red flags that phishing emails tend to present. If you can identify them ahead of time, you can prevent a phishing attack from happening.
Work with CMIT Solutions
When you work with CMIT Solutions of Pittsburgh South, we can implement, manage, and monitor your company’s security to help prevent phishing attacks. With our expertise, you can position your business to be protected from phishing attacks and data breaches.
Questions about Phishing? Contact CMIT Solutions Today!
At CMIT Solutions, our experienced team is ready to help keep your business data safe. Contact us today to learn more!