Please note that these malicious links They can come by different means. They could simply send them through a message on Facebook, WhatsApp, email… Sometimes hackers can send them in bulk to reach a larger number of possible victims.
Scams with a single fake link
To be protected on the Internet, something essential is to maintain the common sense and not make mistakes. That is precisely what you are going to need to avoid falling into the trap of these false links that can attack you in various ways. However, it is also good to have an antivirus and have everything updated.
password theft
The first thing that can happen is that your passwords are stolen. The Phishing attacks they are very common and are based on a fake link. For example, they could send you a link by email impersonating the identity of a social network, Netflix, Amazon, etc. They are going to tell you that there is a problem with your account or anything to get your attention, and when you log in from that link you are going to give them the access code.
This is a classic. Far from it we are facing a novelty, but it is true that with the passage of time they have been perfecting the strategies to make more credible Phishing attacks. Beware of any link that asks you to do something quick, enter data or solve a supposed problem.
Malware in the system
they could sneak you too malware all types. Think that simply by entering a link, you could be downloading a malicious file. It can be a virus, a Trojan, a keylogger to steal passwords… There is a wide variety of malicious software that can compromise your privacy.
In this case, beyond taking precautions, it is important that you have a good antivirus. That will help you detect threats and remove them before they put your security at risk. There are many options, both free and paid. Always check very well what you are downloading.
Take you to a fake website
Another option that cybercriminals have through a fake link is to take you to a Web page which is not really what you think. It may be an exact copy of another website that is legitimate. For example, an online store, the site of a social network, streaming platform or any other.
To make sure you’re browsing a reliable website, you can always look at the URL. That will tell you if it really is the original or, on the contrary, it is a fake site. Be careful because sometimes just a letter or a number changes and it can be difficult to detect with the naked eye.
collect personal data
Of course, it could also come to steal personal data. They may ask you to fill out a form or put any type of information that they can later use against you. They could launch more personalized Phishing attacks on you in the future thanks to the personal data they have managed to collect.
Never give more information than is strictly necessary on the Internet. This also includes social networks. You can always make your Facebook profile, or any other platform, private and unavailable so that anyone can easily obtain information.
fraudulent payment
One more type of attack is to lure you into a fraudulent payment. That link could lead you to a page where you can buy something or register a service. The problem comes when making the payment, since you would be facing a false link and they will be able to steal your money and even the Bank data to steal more in the future.
Always look very well where you are paying. Our advice is that you use wallet bank cards, since in the event of an attack they will not be able to access all the money you have in the bank, but simply the amount you have stored there.
As you can see, there are many methods of attacks that can be carried out simply by clicking on a link. They could steal passwords, personal data, lead you to a fraudulent payment, sneak in some malware, or end up on a page that is actually fake. Therefore, use common sense and avoid making mistakes.
