We've all been there - you receive an email or message with an intriguing link that seems too good to be true. As tempting as it is to click, malicious links are an easy way for hackers to infect your device with viruses, steal your data, or Gain access to your online accounts.
So how can you preview these sketchy links safely? This guide will walk you through several techniques to check links for malware before clicking, so you can browse the web more securely.
One of the easiest ways to scan links is with an online virus scanner or URL checker. These tools crawl the website behind the link, scanning for any malicious code or phishing attempts.
They provide a quick, automated way to preview links safely. Here are some of the top options:
VirusTotal is one of the most popular online virus scanners. Just paste the suspicious link, and it will check the URL against dozens of malware databases. If anything malicious is detected, VirusTotal will warn you not to visit the site. You can also upload files to scan before downloading them.
URLVoid offers real-time scanning of links using antivirus engines and website reputation ratings. Just enter the URL and it will assess the safety of the link and the associated website. It also checks links against phishing and scam databases to warn you of sites attempting to collect your data.
Sucuri SiteCheck deeply scans websites for malware, spam activity, and blacklisting status. Paste in a link to see if the site contains any injected malware scripts or other suspicious activity that could put you at risk. It's a good verification check before accessing unknown sites.
The Trend Micro tool scans websites for threats like viruses, ransomware, spyware, phishing scams, and malicious links. Simply enter a URL and it will inspect the website's files and provide a report on detected threats. It's a handy way to check both links and entire websites before accessing them.
Using these online virus scanners is quick, convenient, and crucial due diligence to preview any sketchy links sent your way. But what if you want to be extra cautious or need to frequently assess unknown links? Read on for more ways to check links before clicking.
If you're constantly evaluating links, browser extensions that let you preview pages before visiting them can save you time and clicks.
These tools open the target website in an isolated tab or overlay so you can view the content safely without actually loading the full site. Here are some top options:
Linkclump opens multiple links in separate tabs so you can easily scan each one. Hover over a concerning link and use the browser button to open it in a new tab. Then click through each tab to preview the sites. Suspicious pages won't ever load the full site.
NoURL blocks pages from loading when you click a link. Instead, it shows a preview of the website so you can evaluate it for any red flags. Once deemed safe, you can choose to load the actual site.
Similar to NoURL, Linkpeek loads a thumbnail preview of a webpage when you hover over a link. Scan the preview for signs of phishing scams or other threats before clicking to open the full page.
URL Sneak Peek generates a mini snapshot of any webpage you hover over. Use the preview window to identify sketchy links and pages before exposing your browser by clicking through.
Using machine learning, BlindLink scans websites behind links and categorizes them as low, medium, or high risk. Hover over any link to get a popup assessing the safety of that page before interacting with it.
With the help of these extensions, you can spot red flags in link previews without the risk of actually visiting unknown sites. Look for signs of phishing pages, spam content, or other suspicious elements before clicking.
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For even deeper link analysis, sandbox websites let you interact with untrusted pages in a secure, isolated environment. Think of it as a private browser that opens websites in a virtual machine, away from your actual device.
This allows you to click links, enter test data, and explore sketchy sites safely contained in the sandbox. If any threats are detected, they remain isolated and can't infect your computer. Some top options include:
Any. Run provides an interactive online sandbox for opening untrusted web pages and files. Upload a suspicious executable you've downloaded or enter a questionable link to have Any. Run assess it in an isolated Windows virtual machine. Observe its activity to identify malicious behavior.
Reputation Keeper is a cloud-based threat analysis platform. Submit links to be opened in a sandbox environment, then view detailed reports on any malicious activity detected from the site.
Inspector. dev virtualizes webpages in a secure container to identify threats. Paste in a link to have the page opened and interacted with in the sandbox using random data. Analyze the website's behavior and receive a full report of any risks found.
ThreatCare detonates links in an isolated virtual environment to uncover threats. Observe the sandbox analysis to see if any malicious files were downloaded, system changes occurred, or sensitive data was transmitted by a website.
Sandbox tools take link scanning to the next level. By providing a safe environment to engage with questionable websites, they can reveal threats that simple URL scans may miss. They're an invaluable resource for cybersecurity professionals and researchers examining unknown links.
When assessing potentially risky links, you may need to provide personal information on unknown sites to fully gauge their legitimacy. You don't want to hand over your real emails, names, or credit card numbers.
That's where disposable or temporary email addresses and credit cards come in handy. These let you generate fake credentials to safely test sites. Top options include:
Disposable email services like Temp Mail provide a temporary address you can use when signing up on new websites or testing sketchy links. Any messages sent to the temp mailbox can be viewed for a short period before the address is automatically deactivated.
Privacy.com and Sift allow you to generate virtual debit and credit cards linked to your real account. This means you can use them for free trials, subscriptions, and online payments without exposing your actual card details.
AnonAddy creates unlimited anonymous email aliases that forward messages to your real inbox. Click on any alias to instantly deactivate it.
Blur generates disposable masked credit card numbers and email addresses you can use to hide your real credentials. Manage them all in one dashboard and change them anytime.
With throwaway email addresses and cards, you can safely interact with untrusted links and sites during testing without worrying about spam or card fraud. Just be sure to deactivate them after evaluating the link to prevent future misuse.
Private browsing modes built into most major browsers prevent websites from tracking your activity and identifying your device. They allow you to browse the web anonymously for enhanced security when clicking questionable links.
To use these modes:
Private browsing strips away identifying information so you can click dubious links as anonymously as possible. Just don't enter any sensitive login credentials, as that activity will still be visible to websites you interact with.
Virtual private networks (VPNs) and proxy services add another layer of protection when clicking questionable links by masking your IP address and encrypting your traffic. This prevents websites from tracking your actual location or device. Some top options:
Using a trusted VPN or proxy when clicking risky links helps keep your device secure and identity private during testing. But now they do not filter malicious content, so you still need to carefully evaluate each webpage.
If you want to isolate the effects of visiting an unverified link completely, use a secondary device you don’t mind potentially infecting, like an old phone or spare laptop. This allows you to freely click around and interact with the site to assess it without putting your primary computer at risk.
You can also create a segmented guest network on your main computer using the following steps:
Windows:
Mac:
With network separation, any suspect activity is blocked from interacting with the rest of your system. Visit uncertain links in the isolated environment first before accessing them on your regular browser.
Before clicking on an unknown link, you can often gather intel from the comments. On social networks, forums, email services, and messaging apps, look for any replies calling out the link as suspicious or dangerous.
You can also check online reviews of the website itself:
Feedback from others who have already interacted with the link can provide warning signs to investigate further before carelessly clicking. Leverage these crowdsourced reviews to make smarter security decisions.
At the end of the day, one of the best virus scanners is your common sense. Before anxiously clicking on a fishy link, pause and consider these questions:
If a link raises multiple concerns or just seems wildly unlikely to be safe, lean towards caution and avoid engaging. Don't let curiosity put your system and data in jeopardy.
A: Paste questionable mobile links into URL scanners like VirusTotal or URLvoid to check for threats. Also install mobile anti-virus apps like Malwarebytes to monitor for suspicious activity when clicking links in SMS, messaging apps, and emails. Enable 2FA on accounts for added hacking protection.
A: Malicious links aimed at identity theft will redirect you to fake websites asking for login credentials or personal information. Check links with tools like PhishTank and avoid entering your real data on unfamiliar sites you’ve arrived at from links.
A: It's risky to blindly click on unknown links as they could direct to sites harboring malware, scams, or other threats. Use caution with any unverified links and scan them first using an online url checker or link preview browser extensions to evaluate safety.
A: Simply receiving or loading a malicious link shouldn't infect your device. But risks come from clicking the link or downloading any files it leads to. To be safe, don't open unverified message links, even just to peek at the site. Scan them remotely using online link checkers.
A: Spam links are used to spread viruses and online scams. If clicked, they could try installing malware, steal personal information, or damage your device. They can also subscribe you to services without consent. Check links with tools like VirusTotal before interacting to avoid spam repercussions.
A: Warning signs of a malicious link include an unfamiliar sender, generic greetings, shady URL, sketchy domain, and grammatical errors. Paste the link into an online virus scanner to automatically scan the site for threats. Enable antivirus, use anonymous browsing, or sandbox tools for deeper analysis of questionable links.
A: Hackers can embed malicious scripts in website links or files hosted on them to spread malware. Never download executables from unfamiliar sites. Use VirusTotal or website reputation scanners to check links before accessing unknown pages. If scanning tools detect threats, do not visit the site.
While the internet is filled with limitless information, it also carries significant threats. Links promising exclusive content or amazing offers could instead lead to identity theft, ransomware installation, or data harvesting.
Luckily, using link scanning tools, secure browsers, anonymity measures, and your common sense can help you avoid risky links and browse more safely. Stay skeptical, think before you click, and keep your devices free of viruses.
