{"id":5480,"date":"2026-09-29T12:36:50","date_gmt":"2026-09-29T20:36:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.antivirusaz.com\/faq\/?p=5480"},"modified":"2026-09-29T12:38:20","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T20:38:20","slug":"clicked-a-phishing-link-what-to-do-next","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.antivirusaz.com\/faq\/clicked-a-phishing-link-what-to-do-next\/","title":{"rendered":"Clicked a Phishing Link? What to Do Next"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>You clicked a link in an email, text message, or social media message. A second later, you realized something did not look right.<\/p>\n<p>Maybe the website looked fake. Maybe the message claimed to be from your bank. Maybe you entered a password before noticing the web address was wrong.<\/p>\n<p>The first thing to know is that <strong>clicking a phishing link does not automatically mean your device or account has been compromised<\/strong>. What matters most is what happened after you clicked.<\/p>\n<p>If you only opened a page and closed it, the risk may be relatively low. If you entered a password, shared financial information, downloaded a file, or approved a login request, you need to take more action.<\/p>\n<p>The Federal Trade Commission advises people who may have downloaded harmful software through a phishing message to update their security software and run a scan. If a scammer received personal or financial information, additional account recovery steps may also be necessary.<\/p>\n<p>This guide walks you through <strong>what to do after clicking a phishing link<\/strong>, based on exactly what happened.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n\n<hr \/>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What-Happens-When-You-Click-a-Phishing-Link\"><\/span>What Happens When You Click a Phishing Link?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A phishing link usually tries to get you to do something the scammer wants.<\/p>\n<p>You might land on a fake Microsoft, Google, Apple, banking, delivery, or social media login page. The page may look almost identical to the real site. Its purpose is to collect the username and password you enter.<\/p>\n<p>Other phishing pages ask for <strong>credit card numbers, bank information, personal details, verification codes, or Social Security numbers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Some links try to convince you to download a file. Others display fake security warnings and tell you to install an app or browser extension.<\/p>\n<p>A phishing site may also collect basic technical information when you visit it. However, simply loading a page is not the same as giving a scammer your password or installing malicious software.<\/p>\n<p>That distinction matters.<\/p>\n<p>Someone who clicked a suspicious link but immediately closed the page usually has a different problem from someone who entered their email password and approved a login request.<\/p>\n<p>FTC guidance also warns that phishing links and attachments can lead to malware. That is why it makes sense to check what happened after the click instead of assuming everything is fine.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/security-center\/phishing.html\">Learn more about phishing<\/a>.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.antivirusaz.com\/faq\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/clicked-phishing-link.webp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-5485\" src=\"https:\/\/www.antivirusaz.com\/faq\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/clicked-phishing-link-1024x576.webp\" alt=\"Woman reacting to a phishing link on a laptop, with warning icons for stolen passwords, banking details, and account security.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.antivirusaz.com\/faq\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/clicked-phishing-link-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.antivirusaz.com\/faq\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/clicked-phishing-link-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.antivirusaz.com\/faq\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/clicked-phishing-link-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.antivirusaz.com\/faq\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/clicked-phishing-link-50x28.webp 50w, https:\/\/www.antivirusaz.com\/faq\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/clicked-phishing-link-1536x864.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.antivirusaz.com\/faq\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/clicked-phishing-link.webp 1672w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"First-Stop-and-Figure-Out-What-Happened\"><\/span>First: Stop and Figure Out What Happened<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Before changing passwords, deleting files, or resetting your device, think through what happened.<\/p>\n<p>Ask yourself whether you:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>only opened the page<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>entered a username or password<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>entered credit card or banking information<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>gave away personal information<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>downloaded a file<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>opened or ran the downloaded file<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>installed an app or browser extension<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>approved an MFA or login request<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>gave the website permission to send notifications<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Your next step depends on the answer.<\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th>What happened?<\/th>\n<th>What to do first<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>You only clicked the link<\/td>\n<td>Close the page and check your browser<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>You entered a password<\/td>\n<td>Change that password immediately<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>You entered banking or card details<\/td>\n<td>Contact the bank or card issuer<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>You downloaded a file<\/td>\n<td>Do not open it and run a security scan<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>You opened or ran a suspicious file<\/td>\n<td>Update security software and run a full scan<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>You approved an MFA request<\/td>\n<td>Change the password and review active sessions<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>You shared sensitive identity information<\/td>\n<td>Start identity theft recovery steps<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Do not go back to the phishing page to investigate it. If you need to access the company or service it claimed to represent, open the official app or type the known website address yourself.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Want to catch phishing before you click?<\/strong> Read our guide, <a href=\"\/faq\/how-to-identify-phishing-emails-in-seconds\/\"><strong>How to Identify Phishing Emails in Seconds<\/strong><\/a>, for practical warning signs that can help you spot suspicious messages before they lead to a fake login page or malicious download.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"If-You-Only-Clicked-the-Link\"><\/span>If You Only Clicked the Link<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If you clicked a phishing link but <strong>did not enter information, download anything, or approve anything<\/strong>, the situation is usually less serious.<\/p>\n<p>Close the page first.<\/p>\n<p>Then check your browser&#8217;s download history. Make sure the page did not download a file without you noticing. If you see an unexpected file, do not open it.<\/p>\n<p>You should also check whether the site asked for browser notification permission. Scam sites sometimes try to get permission to send notifications. Those notifications can later display fake security warnings, scam advertisements, or more phishing links.<\/p>\n<p>If you allowed notifications, remove that permission in your browser settings.<\/p>\n<p>Next, make sure your browser, operating system, and security software are up to date. Running a malware scan is also reasonable if the page behaved strangely or something downloaded.<\/p>\n<p>The FTC specifically recommends updating security software and running a scan if you think a phishing link or attachment may have downloaded harmful software.<\/p>\n<p>You usually <strong>do not need to change every password you own simply because you opened a webpage<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>But if you entered anything into the site, the next steps change.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"If-You-Entered-Your-Password\"><\/span>If You Entered Your Password<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If you entered a password into a phishing page, treat that password as compromised.<\/p>\n<p>Go directly to the real website or official app for that account and <strong>change the password immediately<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Do not use another link from the suspicious message.<\/p>\n<p>Create a new password that you have not used elsewhere. If the stolen password was reused on other websites, change it on those accounts too.<\/p>\n<p>Password reuse can turn one phishing mistake into several compromised accounts.<\/p>\n<p>Your <strong>email account deserves special attention<\/strong>. Someone who gains access to your email may be able to request password resets for banking, shopping, social media, cloud storage, and other accounts.<\/p>\n<p>After changing the password, review the account&#8217;s recent login activity and connected devices.<\/p>\n<p>Look for devices, locations, sessions, forwarding rules, recovery phone numbers, or recovery email addresses that you do not recognize.<\/p>\n<p>Google, for example, recommends changing your password if you believe someone else may have accessed your account. It also provides tools for reviewing security events and unfamiliar devices.<\/p>\n<p>Microsoft similarly recommends checking account settings after recovering a compromised account.<\/p>\n<p>If the service offers a <strong>sign out everywhere<\/strong> option, consider using it. That can invalidate sessions that an attacker may already have open.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, turn on <a href=\"\/faq\/art\/what-is-multifactor-authentication\/\"><strong>multifactor authentication<\/strong><\/a>, also called MFA or two-factor authentication, if you have not already done so.<\/p>\n<p>MFA makes a stolen password less useful because the attacker still needs another form of verification. The FTC recommends MFA as an important way to make account takeover harder.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"If-You-Entered-Credit-Card-or-Banking-Information\"><\/span>If You Entered Credit Card or Banking Information<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If a phishing page collected your credit card, debit card, or bank account information, act quickly.<\/p>\n<p>Contact the bank or card issuer using <strong>the official app, the number printed on your card, or a website you already know is legitimate<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Do not use a phone number included in the phishing message.<\/p>\n<p>Tell the bank what happened and ask what steps they recommend. Depending on the information you shared, the bank may suggest locking the card, replacing it, changing account credentials, or monitoring the account more closely.<\/p>\n<p>If you already see a fraudulent charge or unauthorized withdrawal, report it immediately.<\/p>\n<p>FTC guidance recommends contacting the credit or debit card issuer right away when a scammer receives card information or makes unauthorized charges.<\/p>\n<p>Turn on transaction alerts if your bank provides them. Alerts can help you notice suspicious charges sooner.<\/p>\n<p>Keep checking the account afterward. A scammer does not have to use stolen information immediately.<\/p>\n<p>If you also entered your <strong>online banking password<\/strong>, change it through the official banking app or website.<\/p>\n<p>If you shared highly sensitive personal information and are in the United States, IdentityTheft.gov can provide a recovery plan based on what information was exposed.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"If-You-Downloaded-or-Opened-a-File\"><\/span>If You Downloaded or Opened a File<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Downloading a suspicious file and opening one are not the same thing.<\/p>\n<p>If the file downloaded but <strong>you did not open it<\/strong>, leave it closed. Delete it and empty the trash or recycle bin.<\/p>\n<p>Then update your security software and run a scan.<\/p>\n<p>If you <strong>opened, ran, or installed<\/strong> something from the phishing page, take the situation more seriously.<\/p>\n<p>Update your antivirus or built-in security software and run a <strong>full system scan<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The FTC recommends updating security software, scanning the device, and removing anything the scan identifies as a threat after suspected malware exposure.<\/p>\n<p>Microsoft also recommends a full malware scan when recovering from certain compromised-account situations.<\/p>\n<p>Watch for changes such as unexpected pop-ups, browser redirects, new software, unfamiliar browser extensions, disabled security tools, or programs launching on their own.<\/p>\n<p>Do not assume that every slow computer means malware. Performance problems can have many causes.<\/p>\n<p>However, if suspicious behavior began immediately after opening an unknown file, that timing deserves attention.<\/p>\n<p>If security software finds malware it cannot remove, or the device keeps behaving strangely after cleanup, get help from the device manufacturer or another trusted technical support provider.<\/p>\n<p>Avoid random &#8220;PC cleaner&#8221; or &#8220;virus removal&#8221; websites that appear in search results. A phishing incident is a bad time to install more unknown software.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"If-You-Approved-an-MFA-Request-or-Login-Prompt\"><\/span>If You Approved an MFA Request or Login Prompt<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Some phishing attacks do not stop after stealing a password.<\/p>\n<p>The scammer may enter your password immediately and then trigger a login approval notification on your phone.<\/p>\n<p>You may see a message such as:<\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8220;Are you trying to sign in?&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you approve a request that you did not start, the attacker may gain access to the account.<\/p>\n<p>If that happened, change the account password immediately and review active sessions and trusted devices.<\/p>\n<p>Remove devices you do not recognize.<\/p>\n<p>If the account allows you to reset or review authentication methods, make sure the attacker did not add a new phone number, authenticator, passkey, or recovery option.<\/p>\n<p>Also deny any new login prompts that appear.<\/p>\n<p>Google advises users to review unexpected security alerts promptly and secure the account when activity is unfamiliar.<\/p>\n<p>Repeated login requests can also be part of <strong>MFA fatigue<\/strong>, where attackers keep sending approval prompts in the hope that the user eventually accepts one.<\/p>\n<p>Never approve a login simply to make the notifications stop.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Check-Your-Device-for-Signs-of-Trouble\"><\/span>Check Your Device for Signs of Trouble<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>After dealing with the most urgent account issues, check the device you used to open the phishing link.<\/p>\n<p>Start with your browser.<\/p>\n<p>Review recently downloaded files, installed extensions, notification permissions, and your homepage or default search engine. Remove anything you did not intentionally add.<\/p>\n<p>Then look at installed applications.<\/p>\n<p>A new program that appeared around the same time as the phishing incident deserves investigation.<\/p>\n<p>Make sure your security tools still work normally. Malware sometimes attempts to interfere with <a href=\"\/antivirus-security-software.html\">antivirus software<\/a> or other protections.<\/p>\n<p>Watch for <strong>persistent redirects, unfamiliar pop-ups, unexpected programs, or repeated fake security messages<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>On a phone, check for apps you do not recognize. Also review unusual permissions, especially for apps that can access messages, notifications, accessibility features, or device administration.<\/p>\n<p>Again, do not panic over every unusual battery drain or slow browser tab. Those things happen for many harmless reasons.<\/p>\n<p>You are looking for <strong>new behavior that started after the phishing incident<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Watch-Your-Accounts-After-the-Incident\"><\/span>Watch Your Accounts After the Incident<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A phishing attack does not always lead to immediate fraud.<\/p>\n<p>Someone may collect information today and try to use it later.<\/p>\n<p>For the next several days, pay closer attention to security alerts and account activity.<\/p>\n<p>Watch your email for password-reset messages you did not request.<\/p>\n<p>Check for unfamiliar account logins, new devices, unexpected purchases, changed account settings, or messages sent from your accounts.<\/p>\n<p>Pay particular attention to your email account. If an attacker controls it, they may try to hide alerts or reset other accounts.<\/p>\n<p>Some compromised email accounts also get new forwarding rules. Those rules can silently send copies of your email to someone else.<\/p>\n<p>Google lists unfamiliar forwarding, delegation, recovery information, and security settings among the areas users should inspect when they suspect account compromise.<\/p>\n<p>Also expect possible <strong>follow-up scams<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>If criminals know you responded once, they may contact you again while pretending to be your bank, a fraud investigator, a technology company, or even someone offering to recover stolen money.<\/p>\n<p>Do not assume a caller is legitimate simply because they know details about the original incident.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Common-Mistakes-to-Avoid-After-Clicking-a-Phishing-Link\"><\/span>Common Mistakes to Avoid After Clicking a Phishing Link<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>People sometimes make the situation worse because they react too quickly.<\/p>\n<p>One mistake is going back to the phishing email and clicking the same link again to change the password. Always reach the real service through its official app or a web address you know.<\/p>\n<p>Another mistake is creating a new password that is almost identical to the stolen one. Use a genuinely new password, and do not reuse it elsewhere.<\/p>\n<p>Do not approve unexpected authentication requests just because they keep appearing.<\/p>\n<p>Do not install unknown security programs because a pop-up claims your device is infected.<\/p>\n<p>And do not call a &#8220;support&#8221; number shown on the suspicious page.<\/p>\n<p>The FTC repeatedly advises consumers to contact companies through a phone number, app, or website they independently know is genuine rather than using the contact information supplied in a suspicious message.<\/p>\n<p>It is also usually unnecessary to <strong>factory reset a phone or wipe a computer immediately<\/strong> simply because you clicked a link.<\/p>\n<p>First determine what happened.<\/p>\n<p>A password compromise needs account recovery. A suspicious download calls for scanning and cleanup. A stolen card number calls for contacting the card issuer.<\/p>\n<p>Different problems require different responses.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How-to-Reduce-the-Risk-Next-Time\"><\/span>How to Reduce the Risk Next Time<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The best phishing protection is not a perfect ability to spot every fake message.<\/p>\n<p>Modern phishing can look convincing.<\/p>\n<p>A better approach is to make one mistake less damaging.<\/p>\n<p>Use <strong>unique passwords<\/strong> for important accounts. A password manager can make that easier.<\/p>\n<p>Turn on MFA wherever practical.<\/p>\n<p>Keep your browser, operating system, and security software updated.<\/p>\n<p>When an unexpected message tells you to fix an account problem, avoid the included link. Open the company&#8217;s official app or type its known website address yourself.<\/p>\n<p>The FTC recommends independently contacting the company when a message unexpectedly asks you to click a link, open an attachment, or provide account information.<\/p>\n<p>Slow down when a message creates urgency.<\/p>\n<p>Phishing messages often try to make you act before you think. They may claim your account will close, a payment failed, a package cannot be delivered, or someone has already stolen your money.<\/p>\n<p>Taking an extra minute to verify the message can make a large difference.<\/p>\n<p>And if you are unsure whether a message is legitimate, learn the common warning signs before interacting with it.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently-Asked-Questions\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can-simply-clicking-a-phishing-link-infect-my-device\"><\/span>Can simply clicking a phishing link infect my device?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>It is possible for a malicious page or download to expose a device to security risks, but clicking a link does not automatically mean malware was installed.<\/p>\n<p>The risk rises if the page downloaded something and you opened it, installed an app, accepted unusual permissions, or your device had an exploitable security weakness.<\/p>\n<p>If you are concerned, update your security software and run a scan. The FTC recommends this when a phishing link or attachment may have downloaded harmful software.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What-if-I-clicked-the-link-but-entered-nothing\"><\/span>What if I clicked the link but entered nothing?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Close the page and check whether anything downloaded.<\/p>\n<p>Also review browser notification permissions if the site asked to send alerts.<\/p>\n<p>If you did not enter information, download or open files, install anything, or approve a login, the situation is generally less serious than a stolen-password incident.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should-I-change-my-password-after-clicking-a-phishing-link\"><\/span>Should I change my password after clicking a phishing link?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>If you <strong>entered the password into the phishing site<\/strong>, yes. Change it through the legitimate website or app.<\/p>\n<p>If you only clicked the page and never entered the password, changing it may not be necessary based on the click alone.<\/p>\n<p>However, change it if you notice suspicious account activity or have another reason to believe the password was exposed.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should-I-disconnect-from-the-internet-after-clicking-a-phishing-link\"><\/span>Should I disconnect from the internet after clicking a phishing link?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Not necessarily.<\/p>\n<p>If you only opened a webpage and closed it, immediately disconnecting may not provide much benefit.<\/p>\n<p>If you opened suspicious software and the device starts behaving abnormally, disconnecting it while you assess the situation can limit further communication from potentially malicious software.<\/p>\n<p>You will still need internet access at some point to update security software, recover accounts, and change passwords.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can-a-phishing-link-infect-an-iPhone-or-Android-phone\"><\/span>Can a phishing link infect an iPhone or Android phone?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Phones can face phishing and malicious software risks too.<\/p>\n<p>A phishing page may steal passwords just as easily on a phone as on a computer. It may also try to convince you to install an app, configuration profile, or other unwanted software.<\/p>\n<p>Keep your phone updated, avoid installing software from suspicious links, and review anything unusual that appeared after the incident.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should-I-run-an-antivirus-scan-after-clicking-a-phishing-link\"><\/span>Should I run an antivirus scan after clicking a phishing link?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>A scan makes the most sense if something downloaded, you opened a suspicious attachment, or the device started behaving strangely.<\/p>\n<p>The FTC recommends updating security software and running a scan when you think a phishing link or attachment may have downloaded harmful software.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What-if-I-entered-my-credit-card-information\"><\/span>What if I entered my credit card information?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Contact the card issuer immediately using the official banking app or the number on the back of the card.<\/p>\n<p>Tell them the card information was entered into a suspected phishing site. Follow their advice about locking or replacing the card and monitor the account for unauthorized charges.<\/p>\n<p>If fraudulent charges appear, report them promptly.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How-long-should-I-monitor-my-accounts-afterward\"><\/span>How long should I monitor my accounts afterward?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>There is no single deadline after which stolen information becomes harmless.<\/p>\n<p>Monitor important accounts closely in the days and weeks after the incident, especially email, banking, shopping, and social media accounts.<\/p>\n<p>Keep security alerts and transaction notifications enabled. Continue to investigate anything you do not recognize.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The-Most-Important-Thing-Is-What-You-Do-Next\"><\/span>The Most Important Thing Is What You Do Next<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Clicking a phishing link can be unsettling, but the click itself does not tell you how serious the situation is.<\/p>\n<p>What happened <strong>after the click<\/strong> matters more.<\/p>\n<p>If you only opened the page, close it, check for downloads, and make sure your device is updated.<\/p>\n<p>If you entered a password, change it immediately and review the account for unfamiliar activity.<\/p>\n<p>If you gave away payment information, contact your bank or card issuer.<\/p>\n<p>If you downloaded or opened a suspicious file, update your security software and run a full scan.<\/p>\n<p>And if you approved a login request you did not start, secure the account and remove unfamiliar sessions or devices.<\/p>\n<p>The important thing is to identify what happened and respond to that specific risk. <strong>The sooner you take the right action, the better your chances of limiting the damage.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"References\"><\/span>References<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Federal Trade Commission: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ftc.gov\/news-events\/topics\/identity-theft\/phishing-scams\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Phishing Scams and How to Spot Them<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You clicked a link in an email, text message, or social media message. A second later, you realized something did not look right. Maybe the website looked fake. Maybe the message claimed to be from your bank. Maybe you entered a password before noticing the web address was wrong. The first thing to know is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":5485,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[325],"tags":[449,811],"class_list":["post-5480","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-security","tag-phishing","tag-phishing-link"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Clicked a Phishing Link? What to Do Next<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Clicked a phishing link? 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