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7 QUICK SITES THAT LET YOU CHECK IF A LINK IS SAFE

By Christian Cawley Updated May 11, 2021
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Before clicking any suspicious link, use one of these link checkers to check
that it doesn't lead to malware or other security threats.



Is the link in that email legitimate? Whether sent by a friend or a stranger,
it's unwise to click links without knowing where they take you.

One of the quickest-growing security issues these days is ransomware, which is
often spread by people unwittingly clicking dangerous links in emails, social
networks, messengers, and other collaboration tools. Malware and phishing sites
are also major risks.

While you should be vigilant about all your online activities, it doesn't hurt
to have a little help. Here are several tools to check if a link is safe.




WHAT A LINK CHECKER SHOULD DO

There are two types of URL:

 1. A standard-length URL, starting www, followed by the website name, and
    ending with .com or some other top-level domain.
 2. A shortened URL, such as goo.gl/V4jVrx.

It doesn't matter whether the link you received is a standard-length URL or
shortened. If it is dangerous in any way, a link checking tool should alert you
to this. If the links are going to take you to a compromised website, the link
checker will highlight this immediately. Similarly, direct links to malware,
ransomware and other risks should be reported by these tools.

The following safe link checker sites will help you uncover the truth about
those dodgy links. Check more than one at any given time to give you the best
results.

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1. HOW TO CHECK IF A LINK IS SAFE WITH NORTON SAFE WEB



If you want to check a suspicious link start with a trusted name in online
security – Norton.

Another way to scan a URL for malware is to rely on this from online security
giant Norton.

To scan a URL for malware, simply paste the URL into the checking field and
click the search button. Norton Safe Web will them display a rating and
community reviews about the website. If you want to add your own voice, you can
create an account and join the community of link checkers.

As well as its browser-based link checker. Norton Safe Web offers two further
tools:

 * Norton Safe Search Extension is a Chrome address bar enhancement that adds
   quick safe search functionality to your browser
 * Norton Home Page Extension brings safe search into all your search engine
   results

Both options will test links for safety before you click them and are ideal for
safely browsing the web.





2. CHECK LINKS WITH SCANURL



Another you should look at us ScanURL, an independent website that takes your
link query submissions seriously via a secure HTTPS connection. Although the
spam link checker is ad-supported, the results are good. You can also provide an
explanation of where you saw the URL to help other users avoid it.

ScanURL polls Google Safe Browsing Diagnostic, PhishTank, and Web of Trust and
provides information about the queried site's Whois record. The returned results
will instantly indicate whether you should visit the site and are accompanied by
a ScanURL recommendation.

Avoid the site if the results list it as dangerous.

Several sites (including some in this list) and tools are checked by ScanURL as
it collates the results. Once the ScanURL result page has loaded, a permanent
URL is applied. You can copy and paste this to share with friends, family, or
the otherwise concerned for them to refer to. Handy!





3. PHISHTANK – THE PHISHING LINK CHECKER



Instead of focusing on malware, PhishTank instead alerts you to phishing sites.

Once you enter a URL that you suspect of harboring a phishing operation,
PhishTank will check it out. If the link is already "in the tank" then you'll
get instant results. Otherwise, the site will provide a tracking number. Sadly,
it's not as simple to check a phishing link as it is to automatically check some
malware links…

Concerned about sites that might con you into divulging personal data? If you
have any knowledge of identity theft, then you'll know often this occurs due to
phishing operations. PhishTank is always worth a visit when checking if a link
is safe.

PhishTank is operated by OpenDNS. Anyone can contribute to the site and verify
links that have been submitted by other users.





4. CHECK A LINK FOR SAFETY WITH GOOGLE TRANSPARENCY REPORT



Google also offers a useful link checking service. The Transparency Report
service offers a standard field into which you can enter the URL you're
concerned about. A few seconds later, the results---captured by Google's web
crawlers---will tell you if the site can be trusted.

Along with malware, Google Transparency Report will alert you to phishing risks.
Concerned about accidentally giving your personal information away? Phishing is
potentially a greater concern than malware, so it makes sense to be sure that
the site you're planning on visiting isn't about to steal your identity.




5. USE VIRUSTOTAL SAFE LINK CHECKER



Offering a browser-based multi-function scanning tool, VirusTotal analyzes
"suspicious files and URLs to detect types of malware." The results of the scans
are then shared with the online security community. Simply visit the site, click
URL, then paste the link in and search.



A simple tool that will give you instant results, VirusTotal can also check link
safety in its Android and Windows apps.

For developers, VirusTotal offers public and private APIs. While limited to
non-commercial projects, these can be used to create your own file and link
scanning tool on your website.




6. PSAFE DFNDR LAB SUSPICIOUS LINK CHECKER



Easy to use, the dfndr lab tool from PSafe helps you test a link for safety with
a single click.

Just copy the URL you're querying from an email, web page, instant message, etc.
into the search tool. Click Check URL to see the result.

If the website is found in the dfndr lab database, the site will display where
or not you can trust it. If not, or if the site is not found, you'll be
encouraged to exercise caution: " If you are not 100% confident in the URL or
website, you should not click on it."



Unlike the other link checkers listed here, dfndr lab relies on machine learning
to detect "potentially unsafe URLs." In addition, links are cross-referenced
with suspect URLs from other resources, while in-house analysis is carried out
if the other tests prove inconclusive.

Read More: What Are Machine Learning Algorithms?




7. FIND OUT IF A LINK IS SAFE WITH URLVOID



Finally, there's URLVoid, a tool to help you "detect potentially malicious
websites." As with the other tools, simply input the suspect URL and wait for
the site to check it. You'll find information about the URL and its history, any
black ticks against it, and where the site is based if that information has been
made public.

A list of services that URLVoid uses to generate its results is also displayed,
with famous names including Avira, BitDefender, and PhishTank among them.



If you need to scan an IP address, URLVoid offers a companion service, IPVoid.
For developers, URLVoice also provides APIvoid so you can create your own link
safety checker.




WHICH LINK CHECKERS DO YOU USE?

We've collated the best URL checkers around, testing them to ensure they're and
perfect for keeping you safe online. These sites should deliver the confirmation
you need when checking sketchy links:

 1. Norton Safe Web
 2. ScanURL
 3. PhishTank
 4. Google Transparency Report
 5. VirusTotal
 6. PSafe dfndr lab
 7. URLVoid

These sites will protect you from all manner of link-based security threats,
from malware and ransomware to spoof emails and websites attempting to phish
your details.

Image Credit: mmaxer/Depositphotos



How to Spot a Phishing Email

Catching a phishing email is tough! Scammers pose as PayPal or Amazon, trying to
steal your password and credit card information, are their deception is almost
perfect. We show you how to spot the fraud.

Read Next
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Related Topics
 * Internet
 * Security
 * Scanner
 * Email Tips
 * Phishing
 * Online Security
 * Computer Security
 * Malware

About The Author
Christian Cawley (1536 Articles Published)


Deputy Editor for Security, Linux, DIY, Programming, and Tech Explained, and
Really Useful Podcast producer, with extensive experience in desktop and
software support. A contributor to Linux Format magazine, Christian is a
Raspberry Pi tinkerer, Lego lover and retro gaming fan.

More From Christian Cawley


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