Clicked a Phishing Link at Work: What Should You Do Next?

Your first response should reduce risk without accidentally destroying evidence or creating another problem. Avoid trying to investigate the website yourself. Focus on stopping the interaction and notifying the people who can assess the incident.

Step 1: Disconnect from the Internet (Wi-Fi and Ethernet)

Disconnecting a device can help contain certain malware incidents, particularly when a suspicious file has been opened or executed. However, disconnecting is not automatically necessary after every click.

If you downloaded or opened a suspicious attachment, contact IT immediately and follow its instructions about disabling Wi-Fi or unplugging the Ethernet cable. If you cannot reach IT and you have a strong reason to believe malware is actively affecting the device, disconnecting it from the network may help limit further communication with an attacker.

Do not use the potentially compromised device to log in to additional accounts or access sensitive company information. Do not shut it down, wipe it or run unfamiliar security tools unless instructed. Your security team may need the device's current state to investigate what happened.

If you only opened a suspicious webpage without downloading anything or entering information, report the event and ask IT whether network disconnection is necessary.

Step 2: Do Not Close the Browser Window or Enter Credentials

Stop interacting with the suspicious page. Do not enter a password, authentication code, payment information, or other personal details. Do not approve unexpected login requests or grant additional permissions.

There is an important distinction between stopping an interaction and preserving evidence. If the page is still open, avoid entering anything else, but do not delay reporting just to keep the browser window available. Your IT team can advise whether to leave it open, close it, or take another action.

Record the website address only if you can do so safely. Do not revisit the link to collect screenshots or test whether it is malicious. The original email, sender information, and time of the incident may be enough for the security team to begin investigating.

Step 3: Flag the Incident to Your IT or Security Team Immediately

Report the click through your organization's approved process. This could be an email reporting button, a help desk ticket, a security hotline, or a designated incident channel.

Tell the team what happened, including whether you entered credentials, downloaded a file, or approved a login. If the message appears to target colleagues as well, mention that too.

The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security's guidance on phishing explains how deceptive messages can lead to credential theft, malware infection, and other security problems. Early reporting helps organizations assess and contain these risks.

If your employer offers cybersecurity awareness training, review its reporting procedure after the incident has been addressed. The goal is to understand the correct process for future situations, not to delay the current response.

What Happens Behind the Scenes When You Click?

A click alone does not establish that an attacker has gained access. The outcome depends on the website, the device, the information submitted, and any actions taken after the link opened.

Credential Harvesting vs. Malware Downloads

Credential harvesting occurs when a fake website tricks someone into entering a username, password, or authentication code. The page may resemble a familiar Microsoft 365 sign-in screen, a supplier portal, or a document-sharing service.

Once the information is submitted, an attacker may try to use it to access the account. If the victim also approves a malicious authentication request, the attacker may gain access even when multi-factor authentication is enabled. The response may therefore require more than changing a password.

Malware delivery follows a different path. A link may initiate a download or lead to a file that attempts to install malicious software. Depending on the file and device protections, the attempt may fail, be blocked, or compromise the system.

Understanding the difference helps employees explain the incident accurately. It also helps the security team choose the appropriate response rather than applying the same procedure to every click.

How Attackers Target Canadian Organizations

Phishing campaigns frequently exploit ordinary workplace tasks. An employee may receive a message about a shared document, payroll update, overdue invoice or change to supplier banking details. The message may use familiar branding and a convincing tone to encourage immediate action.

Canadian organisations across finance, healthcare, education, retail and professional services may hold valuable personal, financial or commercially sensitive information. An employee's compromised account can become a route to that information, depending on the account's permissions and security controls.

Remote and hybrid working arrangements can introduce additional challenges when employees use multiple devices and cloud applications. Attackers may exploit familiar collaboration tools or impersonate managers to make fraudulent requests appear routine.

Employees who understand the common cyber threats they are most likely to encounter at work are better positioned to recognise when something is wrong and respond appropriately. 

How to Report the Phishing Incident at Work Without Fear

Employees sometimes hesitate to report a phishing click because they fear embarrassment, disciplinary action, or questions about their judgement. That hesitation can give attackers more time to exploit a compromised account or device.

Reporting promptly is a responsible security action. Employees should provide an honest account of what happened, while employers should make it clear how incidents are reported, assessed, and handled.

Why HR and IT Prefer Immediate Transparency

The IT or security team needs accurate information to contain the threat. HR may become involved if the incident raises employment or training issues, but employees should normally contact the designated security team first.

Suppose an employee entered a password into a fake document-sharing website but did not tell anyone because they were worried about getting into trouble. The attacker might attempt to access the account, send fraudulent messages to colleagues, or search for confidential documents before the organization discovers the activity.

If the employee reports the incident immediately, IT can investigate sign-in records, revoke sessions, reset credentials, and check whether the account sent suspicious messages. The team can also warn other employees if the same phishing campaign reached their inboxes.

Organizations should avoid creating a culture in which employees feel compelled to conceal mistakes. Clear reporting expectations, supportive management, and regular awareness training all contribute to a workplace where staff understand cyber security awareness and feel confident raising concerns earlier. 

Standard Canadian Workplace Incident Response Flow

Although each organization's procedure differs, a typical response follows several stages.

1. Report and record

The employee reports the incident. The security team records when it occurred, what was clicked, and what information may have been exposed.

2. Assess and contain

IT determines whether an account, device, or business system may be compromised and takes appropriate containment measures.

3. Investigate the impact

The team reviews available logs, suspicious messages, affected accounts, and possible exposure of personal or confidential information.

4. Recover and improve

The organization restores safe access, completes any required notifications, and updates its controls or staff training based on the findings.

The Canadian government's CyberSecure Canada guidance on responding to a cyber attack highlights the importance of having an incident response plan before an attack occurs. A defined process reduces confusion over who should act and what decisions need to be made.

Post-Incident Recovery Checklist

Once the immediate threat has been contained, the organization should determine whether credentials, devices, business information, or personal data were affected. Recovery should be based on evidence and the security team's assessment, rather than an assumption that the incident ended when the webpage closed.

Updating Passwords and MFA from a Secure Device

If you entered a password on a suspicious website, change it through a trusted device and the legitimate account portal. Follow your organization's instructions if the account is managed centrally.

If you reused the password on personal or other work accounts, update those passwords too. Use unique passwords for different accounts and a password manager where permitted by your employer.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds another layer of protection, but it does not eliminate every phishing risk. Review unfamiliar authentication methods, devices, and recent sign-in activity with IT. If you approved a login request that you did not initiate, explain this clearly so the team can investigate possible unauthorized access.

Scanning Your Machine for Dormant Threat Vectors

A security scan can help identify certain forms of malware, but it should not be treated as proof that a device is clean. Some threats may evade detection or involve compromised accounts rather than an infected computer.

If you downloaded or opened a suspicious file, let IT determine which investigation and scanning tools are appropriate. The team may review endpoint security alerts, running processes, browser activity and system logs. It may also check for unauthorised applications, altered settings or suspicious network connections.

Preserve relevant evidence and follow instructions before deleting files or reinstalling software. Once the device is cleared for use, apply required updates and confirm that security protections are enabled.

Organisations thinking about who needs training and how employee education fits into a broader security programme will find that a well-structured approach reduces the likelihood of repeat incidents across the workforce. 

Help your team recognise phishing attempts and respond appropriately. Explore Cyber Security Awareness Training to support workplace awareness and safer reporting habits.

Understanding Canadian Compliance and Employer Responsibilities

A phishing incident does not automatically create a reportable privacy breach. However, if it results in unauthorized access to personal information, an organization may need to assess its legal obligations, notify affected individuals, or report the incident to the appropriate regulator.

Canadian privacy requirements depend on the organization, the type of information involved, and the applicable federal or provincial law.

PIPEDA and Breach Notification Requirements in Canada

The Federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) governs personal information handling by many private-sector organizations in Canada, including certain commercial activities that cross provincial or national borders. Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec have substantially similar private-sector privacy laws for certain activities within their jurisdictions, so the applicable requirements need to be assessed in context.

Under section 10.1 of PIPEDA, an organization must report a breach of security safeguards involving personal information under its control to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada when it is reasonable to believe that the breach creates a real risk of significant harm to an individual. The organization must also notify affected individuals, unless otherwise prohibited by law. Reports and notifications must be made as soon as feasible after the organization determines that the breach occurred.

Factors relevant to the assessment include the sensitivity of the personal information and the probability that it will be misused. Significant harm can include financial loss, identity theft, reputational damage, and loss of employment or business opportunities.

PIPEDA also requires organizations subject to its breach provisions to maintain records of breaches of security safeguards involving personal information under their control, including incidents that do not meet the reporting threshold.

For employers, this means a phishing incident involving employee records, customer details, or other personal information should be assessed carefully. The organization should establish what information was affected, who may have accessed it and whether the incident creates a reportable risk.

Employees should report suspected exposure promptly and provide accurate details. They do not need to decide independently whether a legal notification is required. That assessment belongs to the organization's designated privacy, legal, and security professionals.

For authoritative guidance, consult the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada and the current legislation. Organizations should obtain qualified legal advice when the applicable law or reporting obligations are unclear.

How to Prevent Future Phishing Scams and Build Cyber Resilience

Responding to a phishing incident is important, but preventing repeat incidents requires a combination of employee awareness, technical safeguards, and clear organizational procedures.

Employees should check unexpected requests for passwords, authentication codes, payments, or confidential documents. They should verify unusual requests through a separate, trusted communication channel rather than relying on the contact details or links supplied in the suspicious message.

Employers should use email filtering, multi-factor authentication, appropriate access controls, software updates, and endpoint protection. These measures can reduce the likelihood that a phishing attempt succeeds, although no single control can prevent every attack.

Training should also reflect the threats employees encounter in their actual roles. Finance staff may need to practise identifying fraudulent invoices and supplier payment changes. Human resources teams may need to recognise fake recruitment documents or requests for employee records. Managers should understand impersonation attacks that attempt to exploit their authority.

Regular phishing simulations can help employees practise identifying suspicious messages and reporting them through the correct channel. Organisations should use the results to identify training needs and improve their processes, rather than treating every mistake as a reason for punishment.

The complete workplace guide to cyber security awareness training covers how to structure phishing simulations, choose the right training format, and build a programme that reflects the risks Canadian employees actually face. 

Build a stronger workplace response to phishing with Cyber Security Awareness Training. Explore training that helps employees recognise common threats, understand their responsibilities and follow safer security practices.

Conclusion

If you clicked a phishing link at work, the priority is to stop interacting with the suspicious page, report the incident immediately and follow your organisation's security instructions. Whether you entered a password, opened a file or simply visited a website, an early report gives your IT team an opportunity to assess the risk and take appropriate action.

For Canadian employers, an effective response also involves clear incident procedures, employee education and an assessment of any applicable privacy obligations. Regular training helps employees recognise suspicious messages and respond confidently when something goes wrong.

A phishing click does not automatically mean a breach has occurred. Prompt reporting, accurate information and a coordinated response can help limit the consequences and strengthen workplace cyber security.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What should I do immediately after clicking a phishing link at work?

Stop interacting with the website and report the incident to your IT or security team. Explain whether you entered credentials, downloaded a file or approved an authentication request. Follow instructions about securing your account or disconnecting your device.

2. Should I disconnect my computer after clicking a phishing link?

Not necessarily. If you downloaded or opened a suspicious file, contact IT immediately and follow its instructions about disconnecting from the network. The correct response depends on what happened and whether the device may be compromised.

3. Can clicking a phishing link expose my work password?

Opening a link alone does not automatically expose your password. However, if you enter your credentials on a fraudulent website, an attacker may capture them. Report the incident, change the compromised password using a trusted device and follow IT guidance on securing the account.

4. Are Canadian employers required to report phishing incidents?

Not every phishing incident requires external reporting. Under PIPEDA, organisations must report qualifying breaches involving personal information when there is a real risk of significant harm. Other federal or provincial requirements may also apply, depending on the organisation and circumstances.

5. How can employees avoid phishing attacks at work?

Employees should verify unexpected requests, inspect suspicious messages carefully, avoid sharing credentials through unfamiliar links and report suspected phishing promptly. Regular cyber security awareness training, multi-factor authentication and effective email security controls provide additional protection.