Cyber Conduct
All incidents

I clicked a suspicious link

You clicked a link in a message or email and now you're not sure if something happened. A suspicious link may lead to a fake login page, a malicious download, a scam, or another form of fraud. Clicking a link on its own does not automatically mean your device has been hacked — what matters is what you did after the page loaded.

Do this now

  • Close the page or app without entering any information, if you haven't already.
  • If you typed in a password, go to that account directly (not through the link) and change the password immediately.
  • If you entered banking or card details, contact your bank through their official app, website or phone number to flag it.
  • If you downloaded and opened a file, run a scan with your device's security software.

Then do this

  • Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) on the affected account if it isn't already on.
  • Check the account's recent activity or login history for anything unfamiliar.
  • Update your device and browser to the latest version.

Check these things

  • Did the page ask for a password, PIN, or one-time code?
  • Did you download or open any file from the link?
  • Does the account show logins from unfamiliar locations or devices?

Don't do this

  • Don't click the same link again to 'check' it.
  • Don't enter more information anywhere to try to fix it.
  • Don't assume nothing happened just because the page looked normal.

When should I get help?

  • Contact your bank if you entered any financial information.
  • Contact the service provider if you entered a password for that account.
  • Speak to an IT professional if the device is behaving unusually after opening a download.

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