Don’t Get Hooked: The Anatomy of a Malicious Link

The ability to create links is how the internet works. Without links, we wouldn’t have a network! But you can’t trust every link you see. While most links are safe, hackers will use malicious links in phishing attempts to get your financial and personal data. Malicious links are just one piece of tackle in the phishing toolbox, and it’s important that you understand how to identify these links and know what might be on the other side.

What Is A Malicious Link? 

A malicious link is a deceptive URL designed to trick users into clicking it, often leading to harmful outcomes. These links can show up in emails, texts, and on social media. These links bait you with something that tempts you to take action. The use of malicious links is a phishing technique, and the goal is to steal your personal and otherwise secret information. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Passwords
• Social security numbers
• Credit card numbers 
• Sensitive account information
• Health information

Who Do Malicious Links Target?

A lot of us think that we’re safe from phishing and data theft– after all, we’re just random people, right? We’re not businesses or big accounts, but scammers don’t care. They will go after anyone they think might click on those links. Sometimes they will cast a wide net; social media scams, for instance, are viewable by anybody. Over 80,000 people fall prey to phishing scams every day; scammers send hundreds of thousands of messages every day, hoping that the sheer numbers will catch someone.

But sometimes the hacker is more specific. In a spear phishing attack, individuals are targeted personally. The hacker uses your public information, the people you know, and the things you post online against you. These attacks can be highly convincing, but need to be re-crafted for each attack. 

So if anyone can be a target, how do those links end up in your inbox?

The Life Cycle of a Malicious Link

Typically, the trouble starts when an email or text makes its way past your safety measures. Sometimes, the link is in a social media post that you see on Facebook or Instagram, or other social media platforms. When you click these links, there are two outcomes that can typically happen. Sometimes you’ll get one… and sometimes you’ll get both.

The first consequence of clicking a malicious link is being forced to download malware. Without you even noticing, malware lets the hacker use your device to do things they don’t want to get the blame for, like drafting your computer into a botnet. Or they may gain control of your device and hold your data for ransom. 

The second thing a malicious link might do is take you to a website that looks and feels legitimate. But it’s not legitimate– instead, the hacker uses information you put into the data fields to steal your information. This is a common technique used to acquire banking information; hackers will spoof an email from your bank and ask you to go to a website to enter your account information. 

Stay Safe and Avoid Malicious Links!

Avoiding malicious links involves being careful online and staying informed about potential threats. Here are some ways to reduce the risk of falling victim to these harmful URLs:

• Verify the source before clicking any link, especially in emails or messages from unknown or unexpected senders. 
• Hover over links to preview the URL and ensure it leads to a legitimate site. 
• Avoid clicking on suspicious links in emails, texts, or social media, especially those offering deals or urgent requests.
• Keep your browser and software updated to close security vulnerabilities.
• Enable browser security settings and pop-up blockers to prevent unexpected redirects.

At Casey State Bank, we take online security seriously, and we take every precaution to protect your data. For more online safety information, check out our SAFE security topics library, and we encourage you to use our security tools to keep your information protected.