What to do if you Get a Phishing Email

Phishing emails look ordinary at first glance yet they are built to trick you into sharing sensitive data or installing malware. Criminals copy logos, spoof addresses, and pressure you to act quickly. A single click can compromise accounts, drain money, and expose colleagues. Learn what to do if you receive a phishing email, how to spot one fast, and the steps that limit damage if you slip up.

How to Recognise a Phishing Email

A visual check and a click habit save time, money, and stress.

1.Check the Sender’s Email Address

Start with the header. Compare the display name with the actual address and the domain that follows the @ sign. Look for typos, characters, or strange country codes. If the message claims to be from a bank or delivery service, open a new tab and sign in directly rather than trusting the link. These simple habits reduce exposure to an email phishing attack and keep you clear of common email fraud.

2.Watch for Urgent or Threatening Language

Phishing emails push fear or reward. Phrases like “verify now”, “account suspended”, or “you won” are designed to rush decisions. Genuine organisations rarely demand instant action or confidential details over email. Slow down, read twice, and ask yourself whether the story makes sense. Sudden pressure is a classic tell used in smishing and phishing scams and email phishing schemes.

3.Inspect Links Before Clicking

Hover over each link to preview the destination. Check for misspellings, unusual subdomains, and shorteners that hide risk. When in doubt, type the website directly into your browser or use a saved bookmark. Treat attachments with the same caution, especially files that promise invoices, resumes, or scans. This small check prevents many email phishing scams.

Steps to Take If You Receive a Phishing Email

Act methodically so the message cannot harm you or anyone in your list.

1.Do Not Click Links or Download Attachments

Every organisation benefits when staff report suspicious mail. Use the built in “Report phishing” button in Gmail or Outlook, or forward the header to your help desk. If you are an individual user, follow your provider’s instructions for reporting abuse. Be explicit that you have received phishing email content so filters improve. Timely reports improve email phishing protection across the whole network.

2.Report the Phishing Email

Every organisation benefits when staff report suspicious mail. Use the built-in “Report phishing” button in Gmail or Outlook, or forward the header to your help desk. If you are an individual user, follow your provider’s instructions for reporting abuse. Be explicit that you have received phishing email content, so filters improve. Timely reports improve email phishing protection across the whole network.

3.Delete the Email Safely

Once reported, delete the message and empty the trash so no one opens it by mistake. If the mail arrived in a shared mailbox, leave a brief note in your team chat explaining that the item was a phishing email and that it has been removed. Encourage colleagues to check their spam folders and clear similar items.

What to Do If You Clicked a Phishing Link

Mistakes happen. Move fast to contain the blast radius and fix fallout.

1.Disconnect and Run a Security Scan

If you clicked a malicious link or opened an attachment, disconnect from the internet and stop syncing across devices. Run a full system scan using a reputable suite. Products such as Quick Heal include real-time web filters, ransomware guards, and anti-phishing shields within Total Security. Let the scan complete, quarantine findings, and follow any on-screen remediation steps.

2.Change Your Passwords

Assume the attacker captured at least one password. Please reset the password for the account(s) affected first and rotate credentials with any accounts that may have the same or similar passwords. When able, enable multi-factor authentication for accounts. Update the recovery email address and phone number if this account is further used.

3.Monitor Your Accounts for Unusual Activity

Watch bank statements, cloud storage logs, and inbox rules. Attackers often create silent forwarding rules so your emails are copied elsewhere. Remove any unfamiliar rules, check app permissions, and revoke sessions you do not recognise. If money or data is at risk, contact your bank and your organisation’s security team immediately.

Tips to Prevent Future Phishing Attacks

Good habits and layered tools lower the chance of a repeat incident.

Keep Security Software Updated

Keep your operating system, browser, and email client patched. Use a comprehensive security suite and ensure the anti phishing modules are active. A package like Quick Heal can offer web protection, email screening, and safe banking features within Total Security. When available, enable the antifraud tool to avoid phishing attacks and turn on automatic updates so coverage stays fresh. Together these measures deliver strong email phishing protection for home users and teams.

Stay Protected with Quick Heal

Security is a shared effort. Individuals need clear steps and reliable tools, while companies need policies that do not slow down work. Suites that include anti phishing filters, ransomware shields, and safe browsing create a solid baseline. A well-configured setup like Quick Heal with Total Security helps block malicious sites, flag risky attachments, and prevent credential theft without getting in the way. Use the tools daily rather than only after an incident.