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 might take you.
One of the fastest-growing security issues we’re faced 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 extra help. Here are several tools to help you check if a link is safe.
There are two types of URL’s:
- A standard-length URL, starting www, followed by the website name, and ending with .com or some other top-level domain.
- A shortened URL, such as goo.gl/V4jVrx.
It doesn’t matter whether the link you received is a standard-length URL or a shortened bit.ly one. 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 sketchy links. Check with more than one link checker at any given time to give you the best results.
Before clicking any suspicious link, use one of these link checkers below to check that it doesn’t lead to malware or other security threats.
NORTON SAFE WEB:
https://safeweb.norton.com/
SCAN URL:
https://scanurl.net/
GOOGLE TRANSPARENCY REPORT:
https://transparencyreport.google.com/safe-browsing/search
PHISHTANK:
https://www.phishtank.com/
Take the few seconds needed to verify links that you’re asked to click on. These sites will help protect you from all types of link-based security threats, from malware and ransomware to spoof emails and websites attempting to phish your details.
