How do I know if a link is safe to click?

How to Check If a Link Is Safe: 5-Step Guide to Stay Protected

That brief moment of hesitation before you click a link—we've all been there. Is it a legitimate link from your bank, or a clever scam designed to steal your password? In today's digital world, that single click can be the difference between safety and a major headache.

The good news? You don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to protect yourself. By learning to spot a few key red flags, you can dramatically reduce your risk.

Here’s a simple, 5-step checklist to verify if a link is safe before you click.

✅ Step 1: Hover Before You Click (The Golden Rule)

This is the single most important habit to develop.

On a computer, move your mouse cursor over the link without clicking it. Check the bottom-left corner of your browser window to see the actual destination URL.

What to look for: - Does the destination URL match what the link claims to be? - If it says paypal.com but the preview shows paypal.security-update.xyz or a bit.ly link — that’s a red flag.

🔎 Step 2: Scrutinize the Domain Name

Scammers are experts at crafting URLs that look legitimate at a glance. Take a second to read the full domain carefully.

Look for typos and tricks: - Examples: G00gle.com (with zeroes), Amazn.com, or faceboook.com.

Check the main domain: - amazon.updates.co is NOT Amazon. The actual domain is updates.co. - The real Amazon domain is amazon.com or amazon.co.uk.

🔍 Always check the word just before the .com or .co.uk — that's the actual domain.

🔐 Step 3: Check for HTTPS — But Don’t Fully Trust It

A URL starting with https:// and showing a padlock icon means the connection is encrypted.

What HTTPS means: - Your data is secure in transit.

What HTTPS does NOT mean: - It does not guarantee the site is safe or legitimate. - Scammers can easily get SSL certificates for phishing sites.

Think of HTTPS like a sealed envelope. You know no one read the message on its way, but you don’t know who’s opening it.

⚠️ Step 4: Be Wary of Urgency and Odd Context

Ask yourself: does this link make sense?
Scammers rely on pressure tactics that make you act without thinking.

Common red flags: - “Verify your account” emails from services you haven’t used in months. - Texts saying your bank account will be closed if you don’t click now. - Social media posts promising rewards that seem too good to be true.

Context is everything. If a link feels out of place or unexpected, treat it with suspicion.

🛡️ Step 5: When in Doubt, Use a Safety Checker

Even with the above steps, some scams are very sophisticated.
The easiest and most definitive way to know if a link is safe?

Use a URL scanner.
Instead of clicking and hoping, copy the link and paste it into a safety checking tool.

📌 This Is Why We Built isurlsafe.com

Our tool scans URLs in real-time using a massive database of: - Phishing and scam sites - Malware distributors - Hijacked domains and suspicious redirects

You’ll get a clear and instant result:

✅ SAFE or ❌ DANGEROUS

🛑 The Bottom Line

Staying safe online starts with healthy skepticism.
By hovering before you click, scrutinizing the domain, and questioning the context, you can avoid most common threats.

For every other situation where you're not sure — don't risk it.

Have a suspicious link right now?
👉 Paste it into isurlsafe.com and get your free, instant safety report.