If you clicked on a suspicious phishing link, don’t immediately assume the worst, as the damage may not have occurred yet. However, time is critical to take quick actions to prevent hackers from accessing your data or devices.

Quick and informed response can save you from a full breach. In a world where phishing attacks evolve daily, awareness must be your first line of defense.

What is Phishing?

Phishing is a social engineering tactic used by hackers to lure victims into revealing personal information, such as passwords or bank card details, according to Cybertech Security website.

Phishing methods vary between fake emails (Phishing), phone calls (Vishing), and text messages (Smishing).

Attacks via SMS rose by 328% during 2020 amid the pandemic, according to security reports.

According to a UK government cybersecurity survey, phishing attacks accounted for 83% of all recorded cyberattacks in the year following the lifting of pandemic restrictions.

How to Know if You Were Targeted by a Phishing Attack?

• Check the sender: Carefully review the email address or phone number, as hackers sometimes change a single letter in the domain name.
• Review the message: If it contains phrases like “Urgent” or “Please update your information immediately,” be cautious, as the attacker tries to push you into making a quick decision.
• Notice errors: Fraudulent messages often contain many language mistakes.
• Inspect the link: Hover over the link without clicking to verify it matches the original site.

Immediate Actions to Minimize Damage

• Do not enter any personal data: If redirected to a page requesting your information, close it immediately.
• Disconnect from the internet: Malware may be installed the moment you click, so disconnect the affected device from the network to prevent spreading to other devices.
• Create a backup: Copy your important files to external storage, as your data may be corrupted or erased.
• Scan your device for malware: Use an updated antivirus program. If unavailable, download one on another device and transfer it via USB to the affected device without reconnecting to the internet.
• Change passwords immediately: Start with bank accounts and emails, create strong and unique passwords, do not reuse them, and use a trusted password manager to store them securely.
• Be cautious in the future: The incident may pass without immediate harm, but it is a learning opportunity. Regularly review phishing indicators and stay alert to unexpected messages.

To ensure your data safety, use free tools like Have I Been Breached to check if your email or domain has been leaked online.