Clicked on phishing link


Hazel123

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Very cross with myself for being fooled. It was an NHS (supposedly) email saying I’d been in close contact with someone with Covid and must order a test kit now and report the results and self isolate for 10 days of positive. Told OH and we were working out who I could have been in close contact with (working from home but had a couple of medical appointments recently). I really fell for it. Then noticed the sent email address wasn’t an NHS one and realised the link to order tests was probably a phishing link. Then saw it said Dear “my email address” rather than my name and if it had been genuine I’d have been notified via the NHS app. Checked that and nothing there.

So once I realised I scanned with AV, Malwarebytes and Norton Eraser (nothing found) and disconnected from the internet while doing that. Turned my iPhone on and off again.

Anything else I should do? I am not entirely sure I did click the link fully. I clicked but nothing happened (ie no web page opened) and then realised. Darn it. Forwarded it to .gov cyber security.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 14-ce3514sa
    CPU
    Core i5
    Memory
    16gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 evo plus 2TB
    Cooling
    Could be better
    Internet Speed
    200mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    Originally installed with a 500gb H10 Optane ssd
Changed email pw. Set up 2FA for email. Anything else?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 14-ce3514sa
    CPU
    Core i5
    Memory
    16gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 evo plus 2TB
    Cooling
    Could be better
    Internet Speed
    200mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    Originally installed with a 500gb H10 Optane ssd
As Long as you didn't enter any info like address for the kit. hopefully you should be ok
I didn't think the NHS bothered too much about contacting people now
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware M18 R1
    CPU
    13th Gen Core i9 13900HX
    Memory
    32GB DDR5 @4800MHz 2x16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Geforce RTX 4090HX 16GB
    Sound Card
    Nvidia HD / Realtek ALC3254
    Monitor(s) Displays
    18" QHD+
    Screen Resolution
    25660 X 1600
    Hard Drives
    C: KIOXIA (Toshiba) 2TB KXG80ZNV2T04 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD
    D: KIOXIA (Toshiba) 2TB KXG80ZNV2T04 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD
    Case
    Dark Metallic Moon
    Keyboard
    Alienware M Series per-key AlienFX RGB
    Mouse
    Alienware AW610M
    Browser
    Chrome and Firefox
    Antivirus
    Norton
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    Killer E3000 Ethernet Controller
    Killer Killer AX1690 Wi-Fi Network Adaptor Wi-Fi 6E
    Bluetooth 5.2
    Alienware Z01G Graphic Amplifier
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware Area 51m R2
    CPU
    10th Gen i-9 10900 K
    Memory
    32Gb Dual Channel DDR4 @ 8843MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia RTX 2080 Super
    Sound Card
    Nvidia
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Hard Drive C: Samsung 2TB SSD PM981a NVMe
    Hard Drive D:Samsung 2TB SSD 970 EVO Plus
    Mouse
    Alienware 610M
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton
Yeah stupid of me - they contact you on the phone app if they're going to and the phone app says no current restrictions. And no alerts about close contacts. It's the second time an NHS email has fooled me - first time last year was about vaccinations but someone warned me - and any email with a link in should be seen as suspicious I know. It looked very genuine.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 14-ce3514sa
    CPU
    Core i5
    Memory
    16gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 evo plus 2TB
    Cooling
    Could be better
    Internet Speed
    200mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    Originally installed with a 500gb H10 Optane ssd
Try to reset your routers IP address and change important passwords. Also try an online antimalware scan.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 - Release Preview channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Kol's custom ROG
    CPU
    Intel 13900K
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Maximus Hero Z790
    Memory
    Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB 32GB DDR5 6000MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
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    SoundBlaster X-AE5
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    Dell Alienware AW3821DW
    Screen Resolution
    3840x1600 144hz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 Pro 500GB
    860 EVO's
    Samsung 990 Pro 2TB
    External RAID enclosure - 2x Seagate 3TB HDD
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Ultra 1300W Platinum
    Case
    Phanteks Eclipse P600S
    Cooling
    Custom water cooling. EK Velocity (CPU), EK Quantum Vector2 (GPU), EK Quantum D5 Pump, 360mm radiator in case + 560mm external radiator
    Keyboard
    Corsair K100
    Mouse
    Logitech G502X
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, VBS
It's So easy to get caught out these days. I know it is a worry but there is no need to go over the top with security. As far as I know they are after info and they may or may not have your e-mail address, I would think not so a password change is always good and be extra careful over the next couple of weeks.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware M18 R1
    CPU
    13th Gen Core i9 13900HX
    Memory
    32GB DDR5 @4800MHz 2x16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Geforce RTX 4090HX 16GB
    Sound Card
    Nvidia HD / Realtek ALC3254
    Monitor(s) Displays
    18" QHD+
    Screen Resolution
    25660 X 1600
    Hard Drives
    C: KIOXIA (Toshiba) 2TB KXG80ZNV2T04 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD
    D: KIOXIA (Toshiba) 2TB KXG80ZNV2T04 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD
    Case
    Dark Metallic Moon
    Keyboard
    Alienware M Series per-key AlienFX RGB
    Mouse
    Alienware AW610M
    Browser
    Chrome and Firefox
    Antivirus
    Norton
    Other Info
    Killer E3000 Ethernet Controller
    Killer Killer AX1690 Wi-Fi Network Adaptor Wi-Fi 6E
    Bluetooth 5.2
    Alienware Z01G Graphic Amplifier
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware Area 51m R2
    CPU
    10th Gen i-9 10900 K
    Memory
    32Gb Dual Channel DDR4 @ 8843MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia RTX 2080 Super
    Sound Card
    Nvidia
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Hard Drive C: Samsung 2TB SSD PM981a NVMe
    Hard Drive D:Samsung 2TB SSD 970 EVO Plus
    Mouse
    Alienware 610M
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton
Cheers. Yes I did a Trend Micro online scan - nothing showed up. Changed email passwords and Apple ID password and a few others. I think my email password "might" have been changed. In the fifteen minutes after I clicked on the link - had trouble logging into it and getting a code sent to my phone. But managed to change it. Slightly concerning! Didn't think about changing IP address. I use a VPN would that do? Have Experian so any attempted fraud would be flagged. But yes they may have my email address. And possibly other info from emails although maybe in 15 mins they wouldn't see much.

One thing I did wonder - I have a firefox account with all logins and passwords saved - which could be viewed. Hmm. Have now set a master password for that so they couldn't be viewed in future. But think I need to change quite a lot of passwords just in case.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 14-ce3514sa
    CPU
    Core i5
    Memory
    16gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 evo plus 2TB
    Cooling
    Could be better
    Internet Speed
    200mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    Originally installed with a 500gb H10 Optane ssd
One thing I did wonder - I have a firefox account with all logins and passwords saved - which could be viewed. Hmm. Have now set a master password for that so they couldn't be viewed in future. But think I need to change quite a lot of passwords just in case.
On the plus side, for them to view the Firefox passwords, they'd either need physical access to the computer or be able to remote control it (as in, they can't just grab a file and pull the info, they'd have to use Firefox's built-in functions to see them)
 

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    Windows 11 Pro β
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    HP Pavilion Laptop 15-eg0070wm
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i7-1165G7
    Memory
    32 GB DDR4-3200 SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel® Iris® Xᵉ Graphics
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    1920x1080
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    2TB PCIe® NVMe™ M.2 SSD
  • Operating System
    macOS Ventura
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    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Apple iMac 27" 5K (2017)
    CPU
    3.4 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5
    Memory
    40 GB 2400 MHz DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    Radeon Pro 570 4 GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" 5K, 34" UW
    Screen Resolution
    Mon 1: 5120 × 2880 Mon 2: 2560 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    32GB NVME, 1TB SSD
Don't worry too much. You have done the right things, A VPN will really help
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware M18 R1
    CPU
    13th Gen Core i9 13900HX
    Memory
    32GB DDR5 @4800MHz 2x16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Geforce RTX 4090HX 16GB
    Sound Card
    Nvidia HD / Realtek ALC3254
    Monitor(s) Displays
    18" QHD+
    Screen Resolution
    25660 X 1600
    Hard Drives
    C: KIOXIA (Toshiba) 2TB KXG80ZNV2T04 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD
    D: KIOXIA (Toshiba) 2TB KXG80ZNV2T04 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD
    Case
    Dark Metallic Moon
    Keyboard
    Alienware M Series per-key AlienFX RGB
    Mouse
    Alienware AW610M
    Browser
    Chrome and Firefox
    Antivirus
    Norton
    Other Info
    Killer E3000 Ethernet Controller
    Killer Killer AX1690 Wi-Fi Network Adaptor Wi-Fi 6E
    Bluetooth 5.2
    Alienware Z01G Graphic Amplifier
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware Area 51m R2
    CPU
    10th Gen i-9 10900 K
    Memory
    32Gb Dual Channel DDR4 @ 8843MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia RTX 2080 Super
    Sound Card
    Nvidia
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Hard Drive C: Samsung 2TB SSD PM981a NVMe
    Hard Drive D:Samsung 2TB SSD 970 EVO Plus
    Mouse
    Alienware 610M
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton
Cheers. No issues really, it just occurred to me a lot could have been harvested from my emails. Been trying to find out if either Firefox or Norton actually prevents these links opening actually. When I clicked on it, nothing happened. Norton says it has email protection re phishing, as does Firefox, but no idea how it works and not much info about it. So perhaps the link was blocked from opening (but no notification of that). Although the fact I couldn't sign into my Microsoft account to change the password makes me thinks something did happen. Don't really fancy changing my email address of 15 years!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 14-ce3514sa
    CPU
    Core i5
    Memory
    16gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 evo plus 2TB
    Cooling
    Could be better
    Internet Speed
    200mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    Originally installed with a 500gb H10 Optane ssd
If you have Norton you may have Dark Web Monitoring Enabled, worth looking there. I know what you mean about e-mail addresses , it's like a thing for life. Did you enter any info or just click on the link?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware M18 R1
    CPU
    13th Gen Core i9 13900HX
    Memory
    32GB DDR5 @4800MHz 2x16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Geforce RTX 4090HX 16GB
    Sound Card
    Nvidia HD / Realtek ALC3254
    Monitor(s) Displays
    18" QHD+
    Screen Resolution
    25660 X 1600
    Hard Drives
    C: KIOXIA (Toshiba) 2TB KXG80ZNV2T04 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD
    D: KIOXIA (Toshiba) 2TB KXG80ZNV2T04 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD
    Case
    Dark Metallic Moon
    Keyboard
    Alienware M Series per-key AlienFX RGB
    Mouse
    Alienware AW610M
    Browser
    Chrome and Firefox
    Antivirus
    Norton
    Other Info
    Killer E3000 Ethernet Controller
    Killer Killer AX1690 Wi-Fi Network Adaptor Wi-Fi 6E
    Bluetooth 5.2
    Alienware Z01G Graphic Amplifier
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware Area 51m R2
    CPU
    10th Gen i-9 10900 K
    Memory
    32Gb Dual Channel DDR4 @ 8843MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia RTX 2080 Super
    Sound Card
    Nvidia
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Hard Drive C: Samsung 2TB SSD PM981a NVMe
    Hard Drive D:Samsung 2TB SSD 970 EVO Plus
    Mouse
    Alienware 610M
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton
Did you manage to change the password for your MS Account? When it comes to your email, I would be more concerned about your contact list. I would notify all of your contacts that you can to watch out for suspicious emails that are supposed to be from you. Email addresses like phone numbers can be spoofed.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec B746
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-10700K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4/ax
    Memory
    16GB (8GB PC4-19200 DDR4 SDRAM x2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 TI
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SAM0A87 Samsung SAM0D32
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    NVMe WDC WDS100T2B0C-00PXH0 1TB
    Samsung SSD 860 EVO 1TB
    PSU
    750 Watts (62.5A)
    Case
    PowerSpec/Lian Li ATX 205
    Keyboard
    Logitech K270
    Mouse
    Logitech M185
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge and Firefox
    Antivirus
    ESET Internet Security
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec G156
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8400 CPU @ 2.80GHz
    Motherboard
    AsusTeK Prime B360M-S
    Memory
    16 MB DDR 4-2666
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Speptre HDMI 75Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 EVO 500GB NVMe
    Mouse
    Logitek M185
    Keyboard
    Logitek K270
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge and Edge Canary
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
It might even be a good idea to do a system restore from an image before you clicked on the link. Do it from a USB rescue disk so that Windows and any harmful programs aren't running.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec B746
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-10700K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4/ax
    Memory
    16GB (8GB PC4-19200 DDR4 SDRAM x2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 TI
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SAM0A87 Samsung SAM0D32
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    NVMe WDC WDS100T2B0C-00PXH0 1TB
    Samsung SSD 860 EVO 1TB
    PSU
    750 Watts (62.5A)
    Case
    PowerSpec/Lian Li ATX 205
    Keyboard
    Logitech K270
    Mouse
    Logitech M185
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge and Firefox
    Antivirus
    ESET Internet Security
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec G156
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8400 CPU @ 2.80GHz
    Motherboard
    AsusTeK Prime B360M-S
    Memory
    16 MB DDR 4-2666
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Speptre HDMI 75Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 EVO 500GB NVMe
    Mouse
    Logitek M185
    Keyboard
    Logitek K270
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge and Edge Canary
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I use a multilevel protection, I only give my main email address to people, organisations I know and trust ... All others get another email address.

This is one on a German company that have very good security and testing for all sorts of malware and nasties.

I then go through a Google address that automatically polls the German address regularly every few minutes and the mail is then checked by Google's tests and my blocked list Etc.

I also use Bitdefender Pro which has a number of anti malware/Phishing and other traps, blocks and scans. These automatically scan all incoming mail, (it also checks outgoing just to ensure I never send any possible malware to anyone, that came to be from any other source)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64 [Latest Release Preview] [Win11 PRO HighEnd MUP-00005 DD]
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Scan 3XS to my design
    CPU
    AMD RYZEN 9 7950X OEM
    Motherboard
    *3XS*ASUS TUF B650 PLUS WIFI
    Memory
    64GB [2x32GB Corsair Vengeance 560 AMD DDR5]
    Graphics Card(s)
    3XS* ASUS DUAL RTX 4060 OC 8G
    Sound Card
    On motherboard Feeding SPDiF 5.1 system [plus local sound to each monitor]
    Monitor(s) Displays
    32" UHD 32 Bit HDR Monitor + 43" UHD 4K 32Bit HDR TV
    Screen Resolution
    2 x 3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    3XS Samsung 980Pro 2TB M.2 PCIe4 4 x 8TB Data + Various Externals from 1TB to 8TB, 10TB NAS
    PSU
    3XS Corsair RM850x 850w Fully Modular
    Case
    FDesign Define 7 XL BK TGL Case - Black
    Cooling
    3XS iCUE H150i ELITE Liquid Cool, Quiet Case fans
    Keyboard
    Wireless Logitec MX Keys + K830 [Depending on where I'm Sat]
    Mouse
    Wireless Logitec - MX Master 3S +
    Internet Speed
    950 MB Down 55 MB Up
    Browser
    Latest Chrome
    Antivirus
    BitDefender Total Security [Latest]
    Other Info
    Also run...
    Dell XPS 17 Laptop
    HP Laptop 8GB - Windows 10 Pro x64 HP 15.2"
    Nexus 7 Android tablet [x2]
    Samsung 10.2" tablet
    Blackview 10.2 Tablet
    Sony Z3 Android Smartphone
    Samsung S9 Plus Smartphone
    Wacom Pro Medium Pen Pad
    Wacom Pro Small Pen Pad
    Wacom ExpressKey Remote
    Loopdeck+ Graphics Controller
    Shuttle Pro v2 Control Pad
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro x64 [Latest release]
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 17 9700
    CPU
    i7 10750H
    Motherboard
    Stock
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Stock Intel + GTX 1650 Ti
    Sound Card
    Stock 4 speaker
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Stock 17" + 32" 4K 3840 x 2160 HDR-10
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2400 HDR touchscreen
    Hard Drives
    2TB M2 NVMe
    PSU
    Stock
    Case
    Stock Aluminium / Carbon Fibre
    Cooling
    Stock + 2 fan cooling pad
    Mouse
    Stock Trackpad +Logi Mx Master 3 or MX Ergo Trackball
    Keyboard
    Stock Illuminated + Logi - MX Keys
    Internet Speed
    950 MB Down 55 MB Up
    Browser
    Latest Chrome
    Antivirus
    BitDefender Total Security 2021
    Other Info
    Also use an Adjustable Support for Laptop and Adjustable stand for monitor
Cheers. No issues really, it just occurred to me a lot could have been harvested from my emails. Been trying to find out if either Firefox or Norton actually prevents these links opening actually. When I clicked on it, nothing happened. Norton says it has email protection re phishing, as does Firefox, but no idea how it works and not much info about it. So perhaps the link was blocked from opening (but no notification of that). Although the fact I couldn't sign into my Microsoft account to change the password makes me thinks something did happen. Don't really fancy changing my email address of 15 years!
Unless you consider yourself as a specific target (which depends on what you do professionally), there should be little to be concerned about. I don't think your action caused a hidden service/ spyware to be silently installed to spy on you. By the way, 15 minutes of access is sufficient to upload 1 GB of data, which can contain all your details like usernames, passwords, social security number, basically everything 😀.

Since clicking on the link did nothing, your browser most probably took care of it.

All that said, here's what you should do as a general practice:

1. Secure all your accounts with two factor authentication (2FA).
2. Your email address connected to your financial accounts (banking, investments, etc.) should not be used for casual activities like online services, subscriptions, etc. Keep the main email address (that receives security notifications, OTPs, etc.) exclusively for limited, personal use.
3. Use a browser exclusively for no. 2 (this method is called browser compartmentalization or browser isolation).
4. Configure all your browsers with maximum security (strictest settings possible). This will limit potential damage caused by phishing or other malicious links.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy dv7
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000 & Nvidia GeForce GT 635M
    Sound Card
    IDT High Definition
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Crucial MX500 on bay 1.
    1 TB Seagate HDD on bay 2.
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
If it's a known scam it's quite likely the link no longer goes anywhere or does anything as the site has been taken down, especially anything relating to the NHS or Inland Revenue, you are unlikely to have been the only target.

Covid scams should be reported t Ofcom.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 22H2 OS Build 22623.1095
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Build
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3800X
    Motherboard
    Asus PRIME B350-PLUS
    Memory
    16GB Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 @3000Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS - GeForce RTX 3070 Ti 8 GB TUF GAMING OC
    Sound Card
    On Board Realtec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer KA241
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    240GB PNY CS900 SSD - OS
    2 x 1TB Crucial MX500 SSD
    1 x 500GB Crucial MX300 SSD
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001-1ER164
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM008-2FR102
    PSU
    750 Watt Corsair TX750 Plus
    Case
    Cooler Master 690 III
    Cooling
    Akasa AK98 5 Case Fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech K270 - wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech - M185 wireless
    Internet Speed
    BT Fibre 75 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Use hardware KVM to switch monitors on three PCs and software (input director) to use mouse and keyboard on all 4 PCs.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 22H2 build 22621.900
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 3881 - modified with SFX PSU fitted internally
    CPU
    Intel i5 - 10400
    Motherboard
    Dell 032w55 version A00
    Memory
    16GB of HyperX Fury @ 2133 Mhz
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 6GB GTX 1060.
    Sound Card
    Builtin
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ACER KA241
    Screen Resolution
    1920x 1080 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    256GB SK hynix NVMe
    1TB Western Digital WD10EZEX-75WN4A1
    PSU
    Modular 450 Watt Corsair SF450 Platinum ( Mod to replace the Dell 265 Watt PSU)
    Case
    Inspiron Small Desktop
    Cooling
    Dell stock cooler
    Mouse
    Dell
    Keyboard
    Dell
    Internet Speed
    BT Fibre 75 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Use hardware KVM to switch monitors on three PCs and software (input director) to use mouse and keyboard on all 4 PCs.
I probably need to do some work on email. I don't use a spam blocker because I have a business and I need to receive all customer email. This results in literally hundreds of spam emails per day. I clear them quickly, probably losing some customer emails in the process. The good news is that I don't get malware. The bad news is that I have to deal with the torrent of spam once or twice per day. About once per year I change the email address on the website but keep the old one as an alias. Over time the old one cleans itself up pretty well, ready to be used again in the future. I will look into some of the suggestions on this thread. I can do better.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    win 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Homebrew
    CPU
    Core i5 10400
    Motherboard
    ASUS B560-Plus
    Memory
    8 GB DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    Heatsink cooled ASUS
    Sound Card
    None. Business computer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS
    Screen Resolution
    1920
    Hard Drives
    1TB WD NVME SSD
    PSU
    Cooler Master 600 watt
    Case
    Cooler Master
    Cooling
    fans
    Keyboard
    ergonomic
    Mouse
    Microsoft
    Internet Speed
    Very slow - satellite internet, nothing else available.
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    PC Matic
    Other Info
    5 other computers on our network including Win 11, 10 and Linux.
  • Operating System
    Win 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 3
    CPU
    core i5
    Motherboard
    Acer
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics card(s)
    integral
Unless you consider yourself as a specific target (which depends on what you do professionally), there should be little to be concerned about. I don't think your action caused a hidden service/ spyware to be silently installed to spy on you. By the way, 15 minutes of access is sufficient to upload 1 GB of data, which can contain all your details like usernames, passwords, social security number, basically everything 😀.

Since clicking on the link did nothing, your browser most probably took care of it.

All that said, here's what you should do as a general practice:

1. Secure all your accounts with two factor authentication (2FA).
2. Your email address connected to your financial accounts (banking, investments, etc.) should not be used for casual activities like online services, subscriptions, etc. Keep the main email address (that receives security notifications, OTPs, etc.) exclusively for limited, personal use.
3. Use a browser exclusively for no. 2 (this method is called browser compartmentalization or browser isolation).
4. Configure all your browsers with maximum security (strictest settings possible). This will limit potential damage caused by phishing or other malicious links.
Thanks all, that is reassuring. Mystic that is really helpful and makes me realise I haven't had enough security re email before. Since changing my Microsoft/email password (it's an outlook.com account) I have set up 2FA as well using Authy. I have two email addresses for different purposes but one (my oldest one) is my main email for everything and I had relied on site security and 2FA on sites, but I can see now that may not be enough. I tend to do most online banking via a banking app which has it's own security (although mainly just a pin but 2FA for a transaction - rather than using a web browser. No idea of this is more secure, it was just simpler. And I use an iphone because I thought that was less likely to be hacked.

Could you explain a bit more about browser compartmentalisation? I use Firefox for everything usually as all my passwords are saved on the account (except for banking ones, I don't save those) and have usually just closed the browser and restarted it after accessing a banking site. I haven't checked the security settings on Firefox, just left the preinstalled ones - will check that out.

The Hive - strangely I can't find any dark web checking option on Norton - even though when I first installed it asked me if I wanted to check that and I did. Since then nothing seems to be in settings about that. But I guess pwned and Firefox site mentioned above get the same info from the darkweb as Norton.

What I am realising is how much personal information is saved in my email - which is technically vulnerable. Especially in recent years with people doing remote working - eg having to send a scan of my passport to a couple of people for ID (the email still in "sent" folder). And have tended to use my email as online storage - documents in folders etc. So maybe need to go through and remove such things (which will be quite a bit of work).

I'm also wondering if there's a better kind of password manager than using the Firefox account one. It's a pain having a master password set and having to put it in every time I turn on the computer (as it's turned on and off a few times a day). And having to keep looking it up as it's so long and complicated! But I guess I can get used to that and "learn" it. I like the Firefox account one but maybe having one separate from the web browser is better? I know there are a few - any recommendations?

What I would like to do is set up a new outlook.com email and transfer everything across. I am not sure if I can do that. I know if I set up a new email with a different provider I can do that (but like outlook email and don't like the way gmail works or looks). But a new one with outlook.com I think would need to just be an alias and while I've tried that before I found it confusing at times. Like to keep things simple.

No I don't think any malware was downloaded but I do suspect the email might have been hacked and the password changed - as I had such difficulty getting in to change the microsoft password - (2FA failing to work numerous times - so did it on my phone and suddenly had no wifi or mobile signal on my phone so that failed as well). May have been coincidence - mobile signal has been iffy since recent power cuts. But wifi had been turned off. But I have never had an OTP fail to come through immediately from any site.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 14-ce3514sa
    CPU
    Core i5
    Memory
    16gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 evo plus 2TB
    Cooling
    Could be better
    Internet Speed
    200mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    Originally installed with a 500gb H10 Optane ssd
@Hazel123 maybe it depends on which version of Norton you have, and if you have the classic menu, you will need to click on "My Norton" to see it
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware M18 R1
    CPU
    13th Gen Core i9 13900HX
    Memory
    32GB DDR5 @4800MHz 2x16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Geforce RTX 4090HX 16GB
    Sound Card
    Nvidia HD / Realtek ALC3254
    Monitor(s) Displays
    18" QHD+
    Screen Resolution
    25660 X 1600
    Hard Drives
    C: KIOXIA (Toshiba) 2TB KXG80ZNV2T04 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD
    D: KIOXIA (Toshiba) 2TB KXG80ZNV2T04 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD
    Case
    Dark Metallic Moon
    Keyboard
    Alienware M Series per-key AlienFX RGB
    Mouse
    Alienware AW610M
    Browser
    Chrome and Firefox
    Antivirus
    Norton
    Other Info
    Killer E3000 Ethernet Controller
    Killer Killer AX1690 Wi-Fi Network Adaptor Wi-Fi 6E
    Bluetooth 5.2
    Alienware Z01G Graphic Amplifier
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware Area 51m R2
    CPU
    10th Gen i-9 10900 K
    Memory
    32Gb Dual Channel DDR4 @ 8843MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia RTX 2080 Super
    Sound Card
    Nvidia
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Hard Drive C: Samsung 2TB SSD PM981a NVMe
    Hard Drive D:Samsung 2TB SSD 970 EVO Plus
    Mouse
    Alienware 610M
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton
Decided to open a protonmail account to see what it's like (the free version). It seems very slow to open emails. Anyone else use it? Just wondering if it's always like that - maybe due to the encryption?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 14-ce3514sa
    CPU
    Core i5
    Memory
    16gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 evo plus 2TB
    Cooling
    Could be better
    Internet Speed
    200mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    Originally installed with a 500gb H10 Optane ssd

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