How To Scan URL Link Without Clicking It
There are many unsafe links out there, and they can cause you headaches. These links can be used to get shocking news, deals, or funny videos. Your computer could be hijacked if you click on these links and your personal information may be lost. You may also find unsafe links in search results or websites. Here are some ways to scan URL links without clicking them.
These link-scanning tools are reliable and free. You don’t even need to download any software.
1. Hovering over a link
Sometimes links can mask their destinations and you won’t know until you click them. You should never click on a link that looks suspicious. You can view the URL at the bottom of your browser by hovering over the link. Once you have the destination information, you can decide if it is safe to click.
2. Scan URL with link scanner
Link scanners are a way to check if a link is safe before clicking it. These scanners can be found on plugins and websites that allow you to enter the URL link, then scan it for safety. Many free scanners can help you find out how safe a link may be. URLVoid is a good example. It scans links using multiple services including Google, Norton SafeWeb, and MyWOT. This link scanner scans links quickly and reliably.
3. Use URL decoding tools
A URL encoding tool may be used by some Malware experts to hide the destination of a link. This hides the URL so that you don’t know where it will lead you. The link can also be hidden by malware distributors to hide commands or other harmful information. A URL decoder can be used to encode the link and determine exactly where it leads you.
4. Inspect Shortened Links
The link you are looking at may be too long. Many links shortening sites, such as TinyURL and Bitty, are used by malware distributors to reduce their links. To hide their true destination, hackers and phishers will compress links.
You cannot tell if a link is safe just by looking at them. SECURE can be used to scan URL links found on social media platforms. SUCURI will expand the link and tell you if it is safe.
CheckShortURL is another tool that you can use for link expansion to determine the destination of a hyperlink. CheckShortURL is another tool that you can use to determine if the link is on the list of ‘bad’ sites.
5. Unsolicited email scans
Unsolicited email is another way that malware distributors can hack websites and steal personal information. These emails appear to come from your bank and ask you for verification. The hackers could steal your bank details if you click the link.
Unsolicited emails asking you to verify your bank information are phishing attempts. If the link appears genuine, do not click on it. Instead, visit your bank’s website using your web browser.
6. Copy the URL link safely
You may need to copy or paste URL links to be scanned using Malware scanning tools such as URLVoid and SUCURI. The link can be safely copied by right-clicking on the link and then pasting it into the link scanner.
Safety tips for linking
Below are general URL link safety tips that will keep you safe from future attacks by hackers.
- To scan suspicious links, use link scanners Link scanners can reveal the remote destination of the link and provide a report.
- Active or real-time scanning can be enabled in anti-malware software. This will allow you to detect malicious software before it infects your website or computer.
- To ensure your anti-malware and anti-virus software is up-to-date with the most recent malware definitions,
- If your primary scanner fails to detect or catch threats, you can add an anti-virus or second opinion scanner.
These steps will protect your visitors and you from malicious attacks. They also prevent malware distributors from stealing sensitive information.
Hackers can use URL links to infiltrate websites and computers in many ways. Unsolicited links can be passed unknowingly by family members and friends via instant messages, emails, or posts on social media. You should always scan the link before clicking it if you suspect it is related to phishing activities.