What Happens If You Click On a Phishing Link?

A phishing link is link which used to collect sensitive information (such as login credentials, financial details) from victims by sending a fake link via email or SMS. As a victim if you click on a phishing link then you will be compromise by hacker. In this post, we will discuss “What happens if you click on a phishing link”?

What Happens If You Click On a Phishing Link?

A phishing link or attachment file may contain virus, malware, spyware or ransomware. The phishing scammers send you a phishing link which seems to be a valid link. The scammers appear to be a genuine user in order to gain your trust so you can click on the phishing link.  Now, what happens if you click on a phishing link”? Simply put, if you click on a phishing link then you will redirected to a vulnerable website to hack your sensitive information.

If you have no idea about phishing email then you will easily compromise by phishing scammers. However, if you accidentally click on a phishing a link then following scenario will be happened:

1. Your personal information will be hacked
2. Malicious software will install on your device
3. Can’t login your online accounts
4. Your device will slow down
5. Unable to access your computer

1. Your Personal Information Will Be Hacked

A phishing email looks like as original or branded message which may contains malicious attachment file or phishing link. The phishing scammers are very smart and they seem to be legitimate user so you will click on the link.

If you click on that phishing link, then you will redirect to a fraudulent webpage with a form or asking you to sign in into your online accounts. If you sign in with your login credentials then your account details will be hacked by hacker.

Phishing attackers are requested to share your personal information on the web form. Finally, if you unaware about phishing email then you will put your personal information on the form. As a result, you lost your information and hacked by cyber hacker.

2. Malicious Software Will Install On Your Device

What happens if you click on a phishing link? If you click on a phishing link or download the attachment file then a virus or malware can install on your device. Once the virus and malicious software install on your device then it gather sensitive information and can provide remote access to hackers. The malware also can send out phishing emails to your email’s contact list without your acknowledgement.

3. Can’t Login Your Online Account

After click on a phishing link the phishing attackers requesting you to sign in into your account. When you will sign in with your username and password then they will hack your login credentials.

So they can get access your accounts and gain the sensitive information from your accounts and can do any illegal activities. Finally, they will change your accounts password and you can’t login in your account.

4. Your Device Will Slow Down

What happens if you open an attachment file of a phishing email? If you download and open the attachment file of phishing email then virus and malware can install on your device such computer, laptop, phone.

We know that, there are different reasons a device may slow down. The presence of computer viruses or malware is one of them which can slow down your device.

5. Unable to Access your Computer

You are unable to access your computer or device if ransomware is installing on your computer. If you click on a phishing link then a ransomware can install on your computer.

Ransomware is types of malicious software or programs which used to block access your data and computer. Ransomware is very dangerous malware which encrypts the data files, making inaccessible of your data and demand for payments in order to access and decrypt the data files.

What to Do If You Click On a Phishing Link?

What happens if I click on a phishing link? If I click on a phishing link and give out my information then it is sure that I will compromise by hackers. However, if you accidentally click on phishing link then immediately you can do follow the below tips:

1. Disconnect your device from the internet
2. Immediately change your username and password
3. Scan your device for virus and malware
4. Backup your important data and files
5. Update your operating system and security patch

Related article: How to protect Spear Phishing attack?

Conclusion

Finally, you should know that a legitimate user never asks you to send your sensitive information via email or SMS. To protect form phishing link, you just delete the email without any hesitation. Hope the article “What happens if you click on a phishing link” will be helpful for you!