When you click on a link, it can open your computer up to all sorts of threats. You could download malware, be exposed to phishing, or even reveal sensitive information such as login credentials or banking data. This is why it’s important to check links for viruses.

Many of today’s top antivirus solutions offer a web protection feature that can evaluate links in real time and warn you about suspicious ones. These tools can protect you from phishing links, malware, parked domains, and more.

There are also a number of free and paid online services that allow you to check links for viruses. VirusTotal, for example, scans links with 70+ different antivirus scanners and URL/domain blacklisting services to give you an unbiased risk score of a given site. It’s simple to use and a great tool to have in your arsenal.

Ensuring Online Safety: Check Links for Viruses

Another popular option is ScanURL, a free service that’s built on the VirusTotal model and lets you check not only links but files and specific IP addresses as well. The ScanURL website is a little cluttered and doesn’t always detect malware, but it does provide community scores and feedback which can be helpful.

Lastly, many security suites have browser add-ons or mobile apps that allow you to scan links on the go. For example, AVG’s free Link Scanner for Windows and Mac can check links on the fly when you hover your mouse cursor over them. Alternatively, there are mobile apps such as Lookout Mobile Security and AVG Mobilation that let you manually check links on Android devices.