Ask HN: What's the worst thing that could happen if I click on an unknown link
(ycombinator.com)
There's no theoretical limit. That's what the concept of a "zero day" is all about. It's entirely possible that some undiscovered vulnerability allows an attacker to remotely hijack your entire PC, steal all passwords, and completely ruin your life just by opening a webpage. Is it likely? No. But in terms of the "worst thing possible" there's really no upper bound.
There's no theoretical limit. That's what the concept of a "zero day" is all about. It's entirely possible that some undiscovered vulnerability allows an attacker to remotely hijack your entire PC, steal all passwords, and completely ruin your life just by opening a webpage. Is it likely? No. But in terms of the "worst thing possible" there's really no upper bound.