What happens if you click a phishing link? Clicking on a phishing link might not look like a mistake at first because the link just needs one click from you. After that, you are back to scrolling. But if that link was part of a phishing scam, it could quietly let the hackers hack your device to steal passwords or your identity, etc. Phishing attacks are becoming smarter, trickier, and more frequent, especially for new internet users who may not know the warning signs. If you are someone who has clicked a phishing link and seeks remedies.

If you are here to get info on what happens if you click a phishing link, then in this guide, we will learn exactly what happens when you click on a phishing link, how you can recognize these scams, and most importantly, how to protect yourself from falling into the trap.

What is phishing, and how does phishing work?

Phishing is a type of online scam. It works by tricking people into giving away sensitive information. This can include passwords, bank details, or credit card numbers, etc. Phishing usually happens through emails, fake websites, or text messages(smishing). These messages look real. But they are designed to steal your information.

Phishing is a trap that cybercriminals lay to trap people. They do this by pretending to be someone you trust. The word “phishing” is a play on “fishing,” because scammers cast out bait (in this case, fake emails, messages, or websites) and hope that someone will bite.

Here is how phishing usually works:

  1. The Bait: You receive an email or text message that looks legit. It will then claim that your account has been compromised, a payment failed, or that you are being offered a prize.
  2. The Hook: This message includes a link. It urges you to click immediately, often using fear or urgency (e.g., “Your account will be locked!”).
  3. The Trap: Once you click the link, you are taken to a fake website. It looks real but is controlled by scammers. You might be asked to log in, update your details, or download an attachment.
  4. The Catch: Once you fall into any of the traps, the scammers now have your login info, personal data, or access to your device.

What is Smishing?

Smishing (SMS + phishing) is a form of phishing that uses text messages instead of emails. A typical smishing message might say:

  • “Your package is delayed. Track it here.”
  • “Unusual activity detected on your account. Click to review.”
  • “You won a gift card. Claim now!”

Smishing relies on the same urgency and fear tactics as email phishing. Since people are often more trusting of texts than emails, smishing can be especially effective.

Clicking a phishing link might look like a small mistake, but it can lead to big problems. Here’s what can happen next:

You are taken to a fake website to steal your data

Most phishing links lead to fake websites that look real. These pages may ask you to log in or enter personal details. The moment you submit the form, the attackers steal your information. Attackers may use this data to hijack accounts, commit identity theft, or sell it on the dark web.

Malware might be downloaded without you knowing

Some phishing links install harmful software on your device as soon as you click it. This can include viruses, spyware, or ransomware. Mostly this is done without you realizing it because it can happen in the background.

This malware can:

  • Monitor your keystrokes (spyware)\
  • Lock your files for ransom (ransomware)\
  • Turn your device into a bot for attacks

Hackers may use your accounts and harm your reputation

Hackers can send scam messages to your contacts by accessing your email or social media. This can easily trick your friends, coworkers, or family into clicking the same harmful link. This can damage your reputation and is especially serious if your work email or professional accounts are affected.

You could lose money

If scammers get your banking or credit card details, they might make fake purchases or withdraw money. These transactions can be hard to reverse and may take time to fix.

Clicking a phishing link is usually just the beginning. You Might Not Even Realize It Right Away. The damage is often silent at first. It may take days or sometimes even weeks before you see any strange activity.

Look out for these warning signs if you are not sure whether you have clicked on a phishing link or not.

  1. Your device becomes unusually slow or starts behaving oddly
  2. You see pop-ups or ads that weren’t there before
  3. Apps or programs appear that you didn’t install
  4. You receive login alerts or password reset emails
  5. You are logged out of accounts for no reason
  6. Your antivirus software gives alerts or stops working
  7. Friends tell you they got strange messages from you

These are red flags that your device or accounts might be compromised and that you need to know what to do after clicking a phishing link and how to protect yourself from phishing attacks in future.

Did you just click a phishing link? Now that you are at the link, do not enter your email, password, or any personal details on the fake page. Avoid clicking any buttons or links, even “Cancel” or “Back” because they might trigger a download. Instead, close the browser tab altogether or use Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) to safely exit.

Here is what you should do to avoid any damage:

1. Disconnect from the Internet

As soon as you realize you clicked on a phishing link, turn off your Wi-Fi or unplug your internet connection. This stops your device from sending or receiving any data. If any virus was downloaded, this action could stop it from sending your personal information to the hacker.

2. Scan your device

Use your installed antivirus software or download a trusted one. Choose the “Full Scan” option (not Quick Scan) to check every file and folder. If the program informs it has found something phishy, please follow the program’s instructions to quarantine or delete it.

3. Change your passwords

Start with accounts you may have entered after clicking the phishing link. Change passwords for your email, bank, social media, and online shopping accounts. Make each password unique, strong (at least 12 characters), and avoid using personal info like your birthday.

4. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)

2FA means you need your password and a special code that is sent to your phone or email to log in. Even if a hacker has your password, they will be unable to get in without this second step. Go to your account’s settings and look for “Security” or “Login Options” to enable 2FA.

5. Check for unusual activity

Watch for strange messages sent from your accounts. Check if any new devices are logged in, or unknown purchases are done from your account or in your name. Go through your email inbox, social media messages, bank transactions, and recent logins. If you notice anything, report it to the platform right away and secure your account.

6. Report the incident

Reporting helps stop the scam and protects others. You can:

  • Forward phishing emails to [email protected]
  • Report to Google (https://safebrowsing.google.com/safebrowsing/report_phish/)
  • Report to your email provider (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook)
  • Report your country’s cyber crime unit

7. Monitor your card activities

If you entered sensitive info like your CNIC, address, or bank card number, be alert. Check your bank account often. Call your bank to flag your account. In serious cases, ask about placing a fraud alert or temporarily freezing your credit.

8. Back up your important data in a safe place

Phishing attacks sometimes include ransomware, which can lock your files. Back up your documents, photos, and contacts to a USB drive or a secure cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox. Regular backups give you peace of mind in case your system gets corrupted.

9. Do not forward the message

Forwarding such messages can spread the phishing link further. Do not forward them and do not engage with the scammer and do not try to retaliate. This can bring more harm, just report.

How to protect yourself from phishing attacks in 2025

If you use internet regularly, you would know that phishing attacks are becoming more sophisticated over time but you can outsmart them with a few simple habits:

  1. Install trusted security software and keep it updated to protect against malware.
  2. Enable email filtering and use spam filters to reduce the risk of phishing emails reaching your inbox.
  3. Keep your software updated because many attacks exploit old software versions. So, update your browser, apps, and operating system regularly.
  4. Never share personal information via email or text because legitimate companies rarely ask for sensitive information this way, they will always request you to visit them or arrange other secure channels.

Learn how to spot phishing emails and messages

Always double-check emails or texts that seem urgent or too good to be true. A phishing message will:

  • Pretend to be from a trusted source (like a bank, a company or a coworker)
  • Create a sense of urgency (“Your account will be blocked” or “offer expires soon”)
  • Ask you to click on a link or open an attachment

Phishing messages create panic and confusion and hackers get the advantage. Be wise and always do the following:

  1. Look for grammatical mistakes. Phishing messages almost always have them.
  2. Check the sender’s email address.
  3. Hover over links to see the real URL. It will either have spelling differences or extra characters than the original URL.
  4. Don’t download panic creating attachments.

Conclusion

Clicking on a phishing link can get serious but knowledge can be your best and at times the only defense. The point of writing this article is to help you be informed so that you can act quickly and build habits that help you avoid falling for these scams in the future. Whether you are checking your inbox or browsing on your phone, think before you click because one wrong tap can lead to a world of trouble.

FAQs

What is smishing and phishing?

Phishing is a cyber crime that uses fake emails or websites to trick you into giving up personal info. Smishing is a version of phishing done through SMS/text messages.

What is a phishing email?

A phishing email is a fraudulent message designed to look like it’s from a legitimate source, asking you to click a link, open an attachment, or share sensitive information.

How to identify a fake text message?

Look for poor grammar, urgent language, suspicious links, or unfamiliar numbers. If you’re unsure, don’t click, verify with the official source.

Can opening a phishing email infect my computer?

Not usually. Simply opening the email is often safe, but clicking links or downloading attachments can trigger infections.

Yes, especially if the link takes you to a fake login page or malware. Even if nothing obvious happens, your device or data may still be compromised.

What is the difference between phishing and spam?

Spam is unwanted, often annoying, but mostly harmless. Phishing is malicious and tries to steal your data or infect your device.