Quick answer: If you click a phishing link at work, stop interacting with the page right away and disconnect your device from the network, then contact IT immediately.
There’s that moment of utter clarity and horror when you realize what you’ve done. You’ve clicked a link. It was automatic. You didn’t even think about it. You desperately look at the address bar, hoping you’re mistaken and that you actually recognize that email address. But you don’t. The worst-case scenarios are running through your mind, and there’s only one question worth answering: now what?
Knowing what to do if you click a phishing link can make the difference between a quick recovery and a serious data breach. Here’s what to do, step by step.
I’ve Clicked on a Phishing Link; What Do I Do Now?
If all the advice you’ve ever heard about what to do if you click a phishing link has just left your head, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered.
Don’t Ignore It
First, you might want to ignore it and hope for the best. Don’t do that.
By ignoring the issue, attackers get more time to cause damage and move laterally across your network.
Stop Interacting With the Page
Close the page immediately. Never enter login details or any other information, even if it looks like a normal login screen.
Disconnect Your Device From the Network
Turn off the Wi-Fi or unplug the Ethernet cable. This helps limit the damage by preventing malware from spreading to other devices on your company’s network.
Call IT Right Away
Knowing what to do after clicking a phishing link can be difficult, so reporting it right away will help you determine the next steps to take. Don’t skip this step, even if nothing seems wrong yet.
Your IT team can trace the threat and stop it before it spreads.
Keep the Original Message
It seems counterintuitive, but keep the original email in your inbox. IT will need it to investigate where the link came from and what the attack was designed to do.
Use a Different Device to Update Your Passwords
Change your passwords right away using a phone or device that wasn’t exposed. Start with your most important accounts, such as your email or any financial accounts.
Make Sure Multi-Factor Authentication Is Still Active
MFA adds a second layer of protection, even if your password has been compromised. Make sure it is switched on across all accounts.
Ask IT to Scan Your Device
It’s not easy to spot malware unless you know what you’re looking for. Have IT perform a full malware scan to catch any hidden threats.
Look for Suspicious New Inbox Rules
Review your login history. This can tell you a lot. Attackers sometimes set up forwarding rules to secretly monitor your emails. Check for anything unfamiliar.
Notify Anyone Who Might Be Affected
If the phishing email came through a contact list, warn your coworkers or clients who may receive similar messages.
Watch for Unusual Activity
Keep an eye on your accounts for the next few weeks. Look for unexpected password reset emails or login alerts.
Document the Incident
Make a note of what happened: include the time, the email content, and any actions you took. This helps IT and may be needed for compliance purposes.
I’ve Entered My Login Credentials, Is It Too Late to Fix It?
Entering your login credentials is exactly what most hackers are hoping for. If you typed in a username and password, treat it as a confirmed compromise.
Change that password immediately from a different device. Then, check for any suspicious account activity and let IT know so they can monitor for unauthorized access.
What Mistakes Make a Phishing Attack Worse?
Knowing what to do if you click a phishing link also means knowing what not to do. Here are some common mistakes that can turn a small error into a full-scale data breach:
- Waiting to report it. Hoping nothing bad happens wastes time while attacks run rampant in your company’s network.
- Trying to fix it yourself. Running a personal antivirus scan or deleting the email can erase evidence that IT needs.
- Leaving out details. If you clicked the link on a personal device connected to work accounts, say so. IT needs to know exactly how it happened.
- Assuming spam filters catch everything. No filter is perfect, and some phishing emails will slip through.
How to Prevent Another Phishing Attack
We all like to think that after experiencing a phishing attack, we’d be more cautious going forward. But that’s easier said than done. Here are some practices and tools that can make an accidental click less likely:
- Ongoing security training
- Regular simulated phishing tests
- Multi-factor authentication on every account
- Strong email filtering tools
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I change my password if I clicked on a suspicious link?
Yes. Even if you didn’t enter any information, it’s smart to update your password as a precaution.
Can my computer get infected just from clicking a link, without downloading anything?
Yes. Some phishing links install malware automatically.
What if I clicked the link on my phone instead of my work computer?
Report it to IT even if you clicked on a personal device. If your phone connects to work email or accounts, it still poses a risk.
Should I report a suspicious link even if the website never loaded?
Yes. Report it anyway. IT can check if any malicious activity happened in the background, even if nothing loaded on screen.
Smell Something Phish-y? Call Unity IT
Knowing what to do if you click a phishing link means acting fast and involving IT right away.
If phishing attacks are constantly on your mind, or you’ve accidentally clicked a link before and want to make sure it doesn’t happen again, contact the IT specialists at Unity IT.
When you partner with us, you get cybersecurity solutions that help detect and respond to threats, block phishing attempts, and prepare your team to recognize suspicious messages before they cause problems.
Contact Unity IT today.