Technology is dramatically evolving, and most of our workflows are migrating to the Internet. Since everything necessary is somehow connected to the Internet, new types of crimes are also trending.
Cybercriminals target digital assets and can do significant harm. One way they get into your cyber life is through malicious links. So, it would be great to have some sites to check if a link is safe or not, right?ย
If you are concerned about security and privacy, you have landed on the right page. This guide lists the best sites to check whether a link is safe.
Cyber attackers often send people malicious links through emails, messages, and other mediums. They can be ransomware mails and cost you a fortune and data loss. Malware and phishing schemes are also planted using links. That is why it is essential to check if a link is safe.ย
Generally, there are two types of links:ย
- The standard length URL, which starts with โwwwโ and ends with โcom,โ org,โ etc.
- Then there are short links that might start with bit.ly, goo.gl.
It doesnโt matter what link type you have. If you receive it from an untrusted source, there is no harm in checking it for any malicious activities.ย
Without further ado, here are the best sites to check if a link is safe or not? Using these sites, you can verify the links sent to you and protect yourself from any ransomware attack, malware, or phishing scams.
Also Read- Best Free Email Spam Filter for Windows
Best Sites to Check If Link is Safe
1. Norton Safe Web
Norton Safe Web is the most popular tool for checking whether a link is safe. Norton is already a trusted brand in terms of online security, and the tool is simple to use.
All you have to do is paste the URL and click on the search icon. It will give you the community safety rating, user reviews, etc. You can also add your review by creating an account.ย
If you want to be safe all the time, you can also download the Norton Safe Search browser extension on Chrome. Overall, this is the best and most reliable tool for checking a linkโs safety.
2. Google Transparency Report
The majority of people use Googleโs search engine to search for queries. So, what better way to verify the safety of a link than using a tool from Google itself? Well, the Google Transparency report does just that. All you have to do is paste the link you are suspicious about and then wait for a few seconds.
Google Web Crawlers will do their job and will let you know if the site is safe or not. The tool also tells you about any potential phishing and malware risks. It is one of the best sites to check if a link is safe because Google examines billions of links per day to check for malicious sites and URLs. As a result, you will always get a good report.
3. ScanURL
ScanURL is an independent website that aims to provide users with safe links and reports. On this site, you can easily check for spam links. The platform has ads, but the results are quite satisfactory. To check a URL, you must enter the link, a nickname, and a comment.
ScanURL takes input from Google Safe Browsing Diagnostic, PhishTank, and Web of Trust to provide information about the website. If you are looking for detailed information about a site, this is the tool you should use.
4. URLVoid
Next up, we have URLVoid. Again, this is a simple and easy-to-use link checker that can tell you if a website is malicious or not. It gives you the most detailed analysis of a website. The platform collects data from famous services like Avira, BitDefender, etc., to generate results.
5. VirusTotal Safe
VirusTotal Safe is a great multi-function tool that scans files and URLs for malicious activities. The URL you enter is checked across multiple security platforms for malicious activities and risks. Then, you get a compiled result instantly. You can also scan for a malicious file on this platform. Overall, it is great to use.
6. PSafe Dfndr Lab
Finally, we have PSafe Dfndr Lab, another great tool for scanning for malicious links. You must paste the link in the box and then click CHECK LINK. The catch is that if the site is not present in the PSafe Dfndr Lab database, it wonโt show you any results and asks you to move forward with caution. However, it is still a great tool to use.