If I Click a Link, Will I Get Hacked?

If you click on a malicious link, also known as a phishing link, there is a possibility that you’ll get hacked. This is because clicking on a phishing link could immediately cause malware to download on your device. Alternatively, clicking on a link can direct you to a dangerous phishing website where you’re prompted to enter your personal information.

Continue reading to learn more about how clicking a link can lead to getting hacked and how to avoid clicking on these malicious links.

How clicking a link can lead to you getting hacked

There are two main ways a link can lead to you getting hacked: malware and spoofed websites. 

Malware

Malware is malicious software designed to steal a person’s sensitive information by infecting their device. While there are many ways that malware can infect a device, one of the most common ways is through phishing links. If you click on a phishing link, it’s possible that malware could be silently installing itself in the background. Once installed, it can do several things including log your keystrokes, take screenshots of your device’s screen, gain access to your device’s camera and microphone and even infect other devices connected to the same network.

Spoofed websites

Cybercriminals design spoofed websites to make them look as though they are legitimate, and often well-known, companies. For example, these websites may pose as major banking institutions like Chase or e-commerce websites like Amazon. Cybercriminals link to these spoofed websites in phishing emails and text messages in hopes that someone will click on them, land on the spoofed site and enter their personal information such as their login credentials or credit card details. If you were to fall for this scam, it could lead to your actual accounts being hacked, which can lead to financial loss. 

Tips to avoid clicking on phishing links

Here are a few tips to avoid clicking on phishing links that can lead to you getting hacked.

Never click links you’re not expecting

If you ever receive unsolicited messages urging you to click on a link through text, email or direct message, don’t click on it. It’s always best to assume that the link you’re being sent could be malicious, especially if you receive it from an unknown sender. While it can be tempting to click on a link, avoid doing so to keep yourself protected.

Check if a link is safe before clicking it

If you believe that a link you’re sent could be safe, check if it is before you click it. Here are two ways you can check if a link is safe without placing yourself at risk of being hacked.

• Hover your mouse over the URL: If you’re on a computer, you can hover your mouse over the URL, also known as the website address. This allows you to see if the URL being linked to looks suspicious or is directing you to a completely different website than intended.

• Use a URL checker: Another way you can check if a link is safe is by using a URL checker like Google Transparency Report. All you have to do is safely copy the link by right-clicking your mouse if using a computer, or holding the link for a few seconds if using a smartphone, and choose “copy” from the options that appear. It’s important to be extra cautious when copying the link to avoid accidentally clicking on it.

Once you’ve determined the link is safe, feel free to click on it. 

Rather than clicking a link, navigate to the official website yourself

If you receive a message claiming to be from a company you have an account with, one way you can ensure you’re not clicking on an unsafe link is by navigating to the official website yourself. For example, if you receive a text claiming that you need to update your account information for your Amazon account and the text includes a link to log in, don’t click the link. Instead, navigate to the Amazon app or website yourself and update your account information from there if needed. 

What to do if you’ve accidentally clicked a phishing link

Accidentally clicking a phishing link can happen, but knowing what to do if this does happen can help you keep your data safe. Here’s what to do if you accidentally click a phishing link.

1. Immediately disconnect your device from the internet

One of the first things to do when you click on a phishing link is disconnect your device from the internet. If the link contains malware, this can help lessen the amount of damage the malware causes and prevent other devices connected to the same network from becoming infected. Disconnecting your device from the internet can also prevent cybercriminals from being able to remotely access your device. 

2. If you gave away your credentials, change your password immediately

If you were led to a spoofed website after clicking the phishing link and you entered your login credentials, it’s crucial to update your password for that account immediately. To ensure you secure your account with a strong password, use a password or passphrase generator. If you happen to reuse the password for that account anywhere else, you’ll need to update those passwords too. However, be sure to not reuse the same password for different accounts when updating them.

In addition to updating your passwords, enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) as well. This will provide your accounts with an extra layer of security to prevent unauthorized access. 

3. If you provided financial information, freeze your cards

If you were led to a spoofed website where you were asked to provide credit card information or other financial details and you entered them onto the site, you need to freeze your card immediately. Freezing your credit card will pause any new transactions. You can freeze your credit or debit card by going to your bank’s mobile app or directly contacting your bank. In addition to freezing your card, you should also request a new one by contacting your bank and letting them know that you fell for a phishing scam. Your bank should cancel your current card and send you a new card with an updated card number in the mail. 

4. Scan your device using antivirus software

After taking the above steps to protect your information, you should also scan your device with antivirus software. Antivirus can detect and remove known malware and viruses from your device. While it’s best to have antivirus software already installed to prevent infection in the first place, it can still be used to remove the malware after it has already infected your device. If you find that your device is still showing signs of malware infection after scanning it, you may need to factory reset your device. Before factory resetting your device make sure all of your stored data is backed up to prevent from losing it. 

Don’t let a phishing link lead to you getting hacked

Phishing scams aren’t stopping anytime soon, making it important to learn how to avoid falling for them, especially when it comes to phishing links. While phishing links can be hard to spot at first, they’re not impossible to spot, so it’s important to learn how and what to do if you accidentally click on one. 

If you use a password manager like Keeper®, it can help you identify when you land on a spoofed website since it won’t autofill your credentials if the site’s URL doesn’t match what’s in your password vault. This can help prevent you from unknowingly giving away your credentials.

Curious to see how a password manager like Keeper can help you spot phishing websites? Start a free 30-day trial today.