Many Internet users do not know what phishing links are and fall for the tricks of scammers. We tell you in detail what to do if you visit a phishing site.
1. Turn off the Internet
This is the first thing you should do. Disconnecting special database your device from the network is a critical step to prevent malware from spreading. This will prevent attackers from transferring data from your PC or accounts. If you are using a computer, turn off the Wi-Fi connection. And in the case of a smartphone, it is enough to turn on airplane mode.
2. Contact the bank
The next important step is to contact your bank to block all transactions until further notice. This will protect you from financial fraud.
3. Copy important files
We recommend using the 3-2-1 strategy, which means you should have at least three copies of your data – two local on different media and one off-site. You can use an external hard drive, USB drive or cloud storage. This way, you will protect yourself from data theft and encryption and subsequent extortion of funds for the decryption code.
4. Change usernames and passwords
This is a must if you entered your credentials on a fake site. To create stronger passwords, we recommend using a special password manager.
5. Scan the system
Even if you don’t have an antivirus program, you can transfer it to your device using a USB drive. If you are unsure of what you are doing, it is better to contact a specialist. Also, you should not use free programs, as they themselves may contain malware.
Let’s sum it up
Fraudsters are using increasingly sophisticated methods to lure people to fake sites and gain access to their data. And because not every Internet user knows what a phishing link is, fraudsters always have work to do.
If you receive a phishing link, we recommend 7 pasos para crear un plan de marketing reporting the fraud to search engines, domain name owners, and real representatives of the company whose name was used by the attackers. This is important for three reasons:
- Informing search giants will allow the phishing site to be marked as malicious, which will prevent it from appearing in search results. This will make it more difficult for other users to access the resource and reduce the number of potential victims.
- In parallel, you need to contact the owners of the domain where the fake site is located. The legitimate owners are interested in promptly responding to such incidents, as this affects their reputation. They will be able to take the necessary measures.
- It is also vital to inform the real representatives of the company whose brand has been compromised. They will warn their customers about the current phishing threat.
These simple steps will help protect other users from fraudsters. And we advise you to tell your loved ones how to recognize a phishing site and what to do if you fall for the bait.
FAQ
How do I know if this is a phishing link?
A fake link can be recognized by several signs:
- The website address does not match the official one. Instead of the company’s usual resource, the link leads to a visually similar but different domain.
- The insecure HTTP protocol is used instead of HTTPS.
- The link text does not correspond to the real address. For example, the link is called “Official bank website”, but in fact leads to a completely different resource.
If you see at least one of these signs, you are most usb directory likely looking at a phishing link created by scammers. And you definitely shouldn’t follow it.
What types of phishing links are there?
You can get them in different ways:
- by email;
- in social networks;
- in the form of short links in messengers.
The goal of all such links is the same – to trick you into giving up your personal data or infecting your device with malware.
What happens if you click on a phishing link?
One of two things can happen. In the first case, the link will take you to a fake site that looks like the company’s official resource. There, you will be asked to enter your login, password, or bank card details to log in or confirm your identity. But in reality, you will be handing over this information to cybercriminals. In the other case, malware will immediately start downloading to your device. This could be spyware that monitors your actions, or keyloggers that record keystrokes. Therefore, do not follow suspicious links under any circumstances, so as not to become a victim of fraudsters.
