How to Check URL For Phishing

Often, check URL for phishing use URLs (Uniform Resource Locator) to lure unsuspecting victims into visiting malicious websites. These sites look legitimate and ask for personal information that can be used to steal passwords or even financial data. Thankfully, it’s easy to spot these scams when you know what to look for.

Using a free phishing checker can help you identify malicious links. These tools look for misspellings, variations in spelling and different-looking characters that can be indicators of a malicious website. They also check whether the website uses HTTPS. Legitimate sites prioritize security and display a padlock icon in the address bar. Lastly, they do a WHOIS lookup to show the owner of the domain. If you don’t see any contact information for the site owner, it could be an indicator of a phishing website.

Monitoring IP Blacklists: Checking for Suspicious Activity

Another sign of a phishing site is an unprofessional-looking design. Authentic sites usually invest a lot of time and money in a user-friendly interface that is consistent with their brand image.

Always hover your mouse cursor over a link without clicking it to check the URL. A phishing URL can often be hidden behind a shortened URL, so make sure to use a tool that will reveal the full path and file name of the link. You can also use a web browser extension to highlight the actual URL for each link in an email or message. If you suspect a phishing attempt, inform your IT department immediately.