Phishing attacks can happen fast. One wrong click on a fake email, and suddenly, your business data—or your clients’—is at risk. If it’s already happened, don’t panic. You’re not alone, and there’s a clear path to recovery.
Here’s what to do immediately after a phishing attack—and how to protect your business from future threats.
Step 1: Disconnect the Affected Device
If someone on your team clicked a suspicious link or downloaded a file from a phishing email, disconnect their device from the internet right away. This helps stop malware from spreading to other systems and limits the attacker’s access.
Step 2: Alert Your IT Team or Provider
Notify your internal IT team or managed IT provider immediately. If you don’t have dedicated IT support, reach out to a cybersecurity expert. The sooner professionals get involved, the better your chances of limiting the damage.
Step 3: Change Passwords—Now
Assume that login credentials may have been stolen. Instruct all users to change their passwords, especially for email, banking, and cloud platforms. Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible.
Step 4: Scan for Malware
Run a full antivirus and malware scan on all systems, starting with the device that was compromised. A phishing email might have installed harmful software designed to steal more data over time—don’t give it the chance.
Step 5: Notify Affected Parties (If Needed)
If customer or client data was exposed, follow your legal obligations and let them know. Transparency builds trust—and in many cases, it’s a requirement for compliance.
Long-Term Fixes to Prevent Future Attacks
Employee Training: Phishing is preventable. Run regular phishing simulations and train your team to recognize red flags like urgent language, unknown senders, and suspicious links.
Email Filtering Tools: Set up filters that flag or block suspicious emails before they reach your inboxes.
Security Policies: Establish clear rules for how sensitive data is accessed and shared, especially via email.
Partner with a Managed IT Provider: A reliable partner can monitor threats, patch vulnerabilities, and help you build a stronger security posture.
A phishing attack doesn’t have to be the end of the world—but it should be a wake-up call. Respond fast, learn from the experience, and take action to make your business harder to target next time.
