“I Clicked a Dodgy Link – What Do I Do Now?”

It happens to everyone at least once. You tap a link, realise it’s wrong, and your heart sinks.

Here’s the exact order I use with clients (no jargon, no panic):

1. Turn on Airplane Mode immediately (stops anything phoning home)

2. Delete the message/text/email completely

3. If you entered any passwords → change them NOW on another device

4. Run a quick scan with Malwarebytes (free) or the built-in one on Samsung phones

5. Turn Airplane Mode off again

I’ve done this routine dozens of times, and not once has anything bad happened afterwards.

Keep this post bookmarked. Better yet, forward it to a friend who worries about these things.

For one-to-one help after a suspicious message, see Scam Recovery and Online Safety and Laptop and Computer Help.