What Happens When You Click on a Phishing Email?

In the digital age, cybersecurity threats have evolved into sophisticated and cunning forms. Among these, one of the most prevalent and dangerous is phishing. But what exactly is phishing, what happens if you click on a phishing link, and why is it such a grave concern for individuals and organizations alike?

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to cybersecurity, so if you want to gain a better idea of how strong your current cybersecurity strategy is, take a minute to review DOT Security’s Cybersecurity Checklist: How Covered Is Your Business?

What is Phishing?

Phishing is a type of cyberattack where malicious actors impersonate legitimate entities to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information, such as login credentials, credit card numbers, or personal identification data.

Once the information is compromised, malicious users can take any number of actions detrimental to the integrity of a network. From installing spyware, ransomware, or other malware, to downloading proprietary information, or stealing sensitive data about the staff – there are a wide variety of ways phishers can exploit compromised credentials.

Phishers will usually deploy deceptive tactics, such as fraudulent emails, messages, or websites, to lure victims into their trap. Phishing is also a broad umbrella term that encompasses various subtypes, including vishing and smishing (defined below), each with its own unique approach.

Common Phishing Attacks (And What Happens When You Interact With Them)

With a better understanding of phishing and the goals of the threat-actors behind social engineering attacks, we can start to explore how phishing campaigns work across different channels and your options if you or anyone in your organization does accidentally interact with a phishing link.

1. Email Phishing

Email phishing is the most prevalent and recognizable forms of phishing. Cybercriminals send seemingly legitimate emails that contain a call to action, such as clicking on a link or downloading an attachment. Once the recipient interacts with the malicious content, it can lead to malware installation, data theft, or further exploitation.

Even with spam filters and cybersecurity awareness training, phishing email campaigns remain a major issue in the cybersecurity space. Earlier this year, a major phishing campaign was launched at United States energy company Cofence that embedded malicious QR codes into emails.

2. Vishing (Voice Phishing)

Vishing, short for "voice phishing," involves using phone calls to deceive victims. Attackers often pose as trustworthy entities, such as banks or government agencies, and manipulate victims into providing sensitive information over the phone. They may use social engineering tactics, such as creating a sense of urgency or threat, to increase the chances of success.

Vishing was recently used in a high-profile cybersecurity breach that saw the MGM casino group get hacked by someone impersonating an employee with information they found on LinkedIn.

3. Smishing (SMS Phishing)

Smishing, or "SMS phishing," leverages text messages to trick recipients. Like other types of phishing, these messages contain links or instructions that, when followed, can compromise the recipient's device or divulge sensitive information.

Other forms of smishing exist too, like the pig butchering text scam which combines smishing, social engineering, and fraudulent investing in a complex scam that leaves victims both financially and emotionally crippled.

In these instances, rather than posing as a legitimate entity, the malicious actor will pretend to be contacting a wrong number, or will insert themselves into their target's life as a close friend, confidant, or even romantic partner. Then they use this position to push the target into fraudulent investments before disappearing with every cent they can possibly squeeze.

Knowing about the different types of phishing attacks will help you, and your employees, avoid falling victim to these malicious social engineering scams.

What to Do if You Click on a Phishing Link

Despite your best efforts to avoid falling victim, it's still possible to click on a phishing link inadvertently. If you find yourself in such a situation, don't panic. Taking prompt and appropriate action can help mitigate the potential damage.

Here are the steps to follow if you suspect you've clicked on a phishing link:

• Disconnect From the Internet: Immediately disconnect from the internet or disable your Wi-Fi and mobile data connections. This can help prevent further communication between your device and the malicious server, limiting the attacker's access to your information.

• Scan Your Device: Run a thorough antivirus or anti-malware scan on your device to detect and remove any malicious software that may have been downloaded. Ensure your antivirus software is up to date for the best protection.

• Change Passwords: Change the passwords for any accounts you believe may have been compromised. Start with your email and financial accounts, as these are often targeted by phishers. Use strong, unique passwords for each account and consider using a reputable password manager to help you keep track of them.

• Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly monitor your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions. If you notice any suspicious activity, report it to your financial institution immediately.

• Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Wherever possible, enable multi-factor authentication on your online accounts. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification step, such as a one-time code sent to your mobile device or a biometric.

• Report the Phishing Attempt: Report the phishing attempt to the appropriate authorities. Forward the phishing email or message to your IT or cybersecurity team and let them quarantine the threat.

• Educate Yourself and Others: Use the incident as an opportunity to educate yourself and your colleagues, friends, and family members about phishing threats. Share information on how to identify and avoid phishing attempts to help protect others from falling into the same trap.

How to Identify Phishing Attempts

Prevention is always better than remediation. Here are some key indicators that can help you identify a phishing attack:

• Check the Sender's Email Address: Phishing emails often use email addresses that mimic legitimate domains but may contain slight variations or misspellings. For instance, an “o” might be replaced by a “0”.

• Look for Generic Greetings: Phishing emails frequently use generic greetings like "Dear Customer" or "Hello User" instead of addressing you by name. Legitimate organizations often know your name and use it in their communications.

• Watch for Urgency or Threats: Phishers often create a sense of urgency or threat to pressure you into taking immediate action. Be skeptical of emails or messages that claim your account will be suspended, your data will be deleted, or legal action will be taken if you don't act immediately.

• Verify Links and URLs: Hover your mouse over any links in an email without clicking on them. Check the URL that appears in the status bar to see if it matches the legitimate website of the organization. Be cautious of URLs with misspellings or unusual domains.

• Examine the Content: Poor grammar, spelling mistakes, and awkward language are common signs of a phishing attempt. Legitimate organizations typically have professional communication standards.

• Beware of Unsolicited Attachments: Avoid opening attachments or downloading files from unknown or unexpected sources, as they could contain malware.

• Verify Requests for Personal Information: Legitimate organizations will not request sensitive information like passwords, Social Security numbers, or credit card details via email or messages. If you receive such a request, contact the organization directly through official channels to confirm its authenticity.

By taking the time to learn the typical markings of a phishing attack, you can avoid falling victim to these scams and substantially increase your cybersecurity posture.

Report Suspicious Messages that Feel like Phishing

It’s also worth noting that encouraging users to report suspicious messages—even if they’re not entirely sure they’re phishing attempts—empowers both individuals and organizations in the fight against cyber threats.

Reporting suspicious emails allows the cybersecurity team to analyze potential phishing schemes, helping them identify new tactics hackers are using to bypass security systems. This can lead to timely adjustments in defenses that protect everyone in the organization, as teams can deploy countermeasures and update security protocols based on real-time insights from reported messages.

When users report suspicious messages, they also help security teams quickly isolate and eliminate potential threats before they spread. Even if an email isn't truly malicious, the act of reporting helps create a culture of vigilance, reducing the likelihood that employees will ignore or inadvertently engage with real phishing attempts in the future.

Finally, reporting suspicious messages serves as a critical training opportunity. Security teams can analyze the patterns in what employees find suspicious, addressing any misunderstandings or blind spots in their phishing recognition skills. The feedback loop this creates not only strengthens the organization’s defenses but also builds employees’ confidence in recognizing threats.

In short, reporting suspicious messages, even on a hunch, is a proactive way for employees to protect themselves and contribute meaningfully to organizational security.

Final Thoughts on Clicking Phishing Links

Phishing attacks continue to pose a significant threat to individuals and organizations worldwide. Understanding what phishing is and how it can manifest through email phishing, vishing, and smishing is essential for protecting yourself and your organization, as is training your employees on what to do if they ever should fall victim to a phishing attack.

If you do fall victim to a phishing scam, remember to disconnect from the internet, scan your device, change passwords, and monitor your accounts. To avoid falling for phishing attempts in the first place, you can prioritize cybersecurity awareness training and instill a security-first culture in your organization.

If you’re wondering how your cybersecurity measures compare to industry standards, take a few minutes to check out DOT Security’s Cybersecurity Checklist: How Covered Is Your Business?