Safe Browsing Guide: How to Check URLs for Hidden Threats

We click dozens, maybe hundreds, of links every day. Emails, social media, search results—URLs are the pathways of the internet. But not all paths are safe. Some lead to malware, scams, or phishing sites.

How can you tell if a URL is safe before you click it? This guide will show you how to check URLs for hidden threats.

The Anatomy of a URL

Understanding the parts of a URL can help you spot fakes. https://www.example.com/login

• Protocol (https://): Secure sites use HTTPS. Avoid sites that only use HTTP for sensitive transactions.
• Domain (example.com): This is the core address. Attackers often change this slightly (e.g., examp1e.com) to trick you.
• Path (/login): This tells the server which specific page to show.

Hidden Threats in URLs

1. Shortened Links

Services like bit.ly are useful, but they hide the destination. You never know where a shortened link goes until you click it—or check it.

2. Redirects

A URL might look safe initially but then quickly redirect you to a malicious site. This "chain" of redirects is a common tactic to bypass security filters.

3. Homograph Attacks

This involves using characters from different alphabets that look identical to Latin letters (e.g., a Cyrillic 'a' instead of a Latin 'a'). To the naked eye, the URL looks perfect, but the computer sees a completely different website.

How to Check a URL Safely

Hover Before You Click

On a desktop computer, hovering your mouse over a link usually reveals the actual destination URL in the bottom corner of your browser. Check it carefully!

Use a URL Scanner

A URL scanner is a tool that visits the website for you. It analyzes the page content, checks for malware, and follows any redirects to see the final destination.

Using a scanner allows you to:

• See the full redirect path.
• Check if the site is on any blacklists.
• View a screenshot of the page without putting your device at risk.

Practice Safe Browsing

Safe browsing isn't just about tools; it's a habit. Pause before you click. If a deal looks too good to be true, or an email feels urgent and pushy, take a second to verify the URL.

Unsure about a link? Scan it safely with our URL Scanner.