Whether it’s a fake website trying to steal your password or malware that’s waiting to be downloaded, clicking phishing links can have serious consequences. Hackers can gain access to your online accounts, including financial ones, and wreak havoc from there. This is especially dangerous if you use the same passwords across multiple accounts, as cybercriminals can then access all your personal information at once.

It’s easy to fall for check if link is phishing , but you can prevent it by practicing due diligence. For example, before you click a link, hover over it to see what appears. You can also check the URL to ensure it’s consistent with the domain. Look for things like poor spelling and shortened URLs (the real one should be a longer string of letters and numbers).

How to Check If a Link is Phishing: Top Tips

You can also use a link scanner to help identify malware, phishing attacks, botnets, and fake websites. This will allow you to know if the site is unsafe before clicking on it.

If you clicked a phishing link, take some time to perform damage control. The first thing to do is change your passwords and passphrases on any accounts that are at risk. If possible, change them on a different device from the one that was compromised to avoid malware spreading. Afterward, consider using a password manager to create strong passwords and store them securely in an encrypted location. This way, even if one account gets compromised, your other online data will remain safe.