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Protect yourself by pausing before you respond to unexpected requests, verifying them through a contact route you already trust, and securing your accounts with unique passwords and multifactor authentication (MFA). If you already clicked, shared information, or ran a command, act according to what happened: protect affected accounts, check the device for malware, and report suspected fraud.
How do I protect myself from online scams and attacks?
Scams often try to make a request feel urgent and familiar: an overdue bill, a problem with an account, or a message that appears to come from a known organization. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) describes phishing as messages that impersonate trusted organizations and try to get people to click links or open attachments. Treat an unexpected request for a password, verification code, payment, sensitive information, or attachment as a reason to stop and check.
- Pause. Do not click, open an attachment, pay, or share credentials or verification codes just because a message pressures you to act quickly.
- Verify independently. Contact the organization using its official website or a phone number you already know is genuine. Do not use contact details in the suspicious message, and do not treat caller ID as proof of who called.
- Secure the account if the request might be real. Open the service through its known app or by typing its familiar web address yourself, then check for alerts or account issues there.
- Report suspected phishing. Reporting routes depend on your country and the type of scam; U.S. options are listed below.
Email was the top method scammers used to contact people in 2024, according to the FTC in a consumer alert published in April 2025. That is a historical statement about 2024, not a claim that email remains the leading channel today. Scams can arrive through other channels as well, so apply the same pause-and-verify habit to texts, calls, social media, and websites.
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A CAPTCHA is a verification test used by websites, but a prompt that asks you to open a device tool and run commands is not a legitimate CAPTCHA step. In a June 2026 alert, the FTC warned that scammers use fake CAPTCHA prompts to trick people into running commands that may install malware. This does not mean every CAPTCHA is suspicious; the warning sign is being told to run commands on your device.
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Use a separate, strong password for every important account. A password manager can generate and store unique passwords so you do not have to reuse one across email, banking, shopping, and other services. Length and uniqueness help, but no single password rule guarantees an account is safe.
- Turn on MFA for email, financial accounts, and other services that support it. MFA requires an additional proof of identity beyond your password.
- Consider a physical security key as an optional MFA method, after checking that the accounts you rely on support the key. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) says in its October 2025 Cybersecurity Awareness Month poster: “A physical security key provides the best protection and is easy to use.” That statement compares MFA methods in the poster; a key is not a guarantee against every attack.
- Install software and security updates for your operating system, browser, apps, and security tools. Updates help address known weaknesses, though they cannot prevent every scam.
- Limit the information you share and be cautious about unexpected requests for personal or financial details.
What should I do if I clicked a suspicious link?
Clicking a link does not by itself establish that your device or account was compromised. The next steps depend on whether you entered information, downloaded or ran something, or simply opened a page. If you suspect malware may be running, stop using that device to sign in to sensitive accounts.
If you entered a password or verification code
- From a different device you trust, open the affected service using its known app or address and change the password. If you reused that password elsewhere, change it on those accounts too.
- Turn on MFA if available, review recent account activity, and follow the service’s account-recovery process if you cannot sign in.
- If you shared a one-time verification code, contact the service through a known channel and explain that the code may have been exposed.
If you shared personal or financial information
Use IdentityTheft.gov for steps tailored to the information that was exposed. Contact your bank or payment provider promptly if you shared financial details or authorized a payment; the right recovery steps depend on what was disclosed and how it was used.
If you downloaded a file, installed software, or ran a command
- Stop entering passwords or other sensitive information on the affected device. If you suspect active malware, disconnect it from the internet.
- Use updated security software to scan the device and follow its instructions for removing detected threats. A scan can help identify malware, but it does not prove that every compromise has been resolved.
- From a different device you trust, change passwords for accounts used on the affected device and enable two-factor authentication where available.
- Follow the device maker’s or security software provider’s guidance if problems continue, or seek qualified technical help.
The FTC’s June 2026 CAPTCHA alert specifically advises disconnecting from the internet and using a different device for password changes if malware may be running. Its broader malware guidance also recommends stopping sensitive logins on the affected device, updating security software, scanning, and then changing passwords and enabling two-factor authentication.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to report a suspected scam in the United States
- Report suspected fraud to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- Forward phishing texts to SPAM (7726).
- Forward phishing emails to reportphishing@apwg.org.
Reporting does not replace securing an exposed account, contacting a payment provider, or taking identity-theft recovery steps. These reporting and recovery routes are U.S.-focused; procedures differ by country and by the account or payment involved.
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