Clicking on fake/spam links could lead you to danger and lose your money. To save yourself from such a situation, we have come up with some simple tips and tricks to help you scan any link on WhatsApp or SMS before you open it. A detailed guide for this is given in the steps mentioned below.

This is a way which can tell you if the link shared with you is fake or genuine. It will also warn you regarding its authenticity. To use this method, follow the steps given below.

  1. Open the official website of e.Veritas.

  2. Go to the SMS/WhatsApp message and copy the link.

  3. Paste the link in the box and click on verify.

  4. Scroll down to see the result.

Google Safe Browsing check

The second method we recommend is Google Safe browsing check. It can be done directly from the transparency check website of Google. To use this method, follow the steps given below.

  1. Open the Google Transparency Check website.

  2. Go to the SMS/WhatsApp message and copy the link.

  3. Paste the link in the box and click on the Search icon.

  4. Here scroll down to see the result.

The next website to scan unsafe and malicious URLs is Norton Safe Web which comes from the house of Norton, the popular Antivirus maker. The website is simple and easy to use like the previous two where you have to enter the URL and tap the search icon and it will show you the results.

  1. Visit the official website of Norton Safe Check.

  2. Go to the SMS/WhatsApp message and copy the link.

  3. Paste the link in the box and click on the Search icon.

  4. Here you need to scroll down to see the result.

Scan URL Website

Scan URL is another website which lets you check the authenticity of a URL. It will check and tell you if a web link is safe to visit or if it is a malicious link. The website will ask you to paste the URL, type a nickname for it and also describe it before searching.

  1. Open the official website of the Scan URL.

  2. Go to the SMS/WhatsApp message and copy the link.

  3. Paste the link in the box and click on the Check this URL box.

  4. Here you need to scroll down to see the result.

Use Phish Tank Tool

Phish Tank is another such website that lets you scan any web link before visiting. It will tell you if the link posted by you is safe to visit or not. This website also lets you add phishing websites on your own. Please read the steps in detail to know more about this method.

  1. Visit the official website of Phish Tank.

  2. Go to the SMS/WhatsApp message and copy the link.

  3. Paste the link in the box and click on Is it a Phish? box.

  4. Now, scroll down to see the result.

Virus Total

The next website in this list is called Virus Total, which lets you scan any file, or website or even search for a URL/Domain or even file hash. With the help of Virus Total, you can scan if the shared link is safe to visit or not. Follow the steps given below to know more.

  1. Visit the official website of Virus Total.

  2. Here, we need to switch to the URL Section.

  3. Go to the SMS/WhatsApp message and copy the link.

  4. Paste the link in the box and click on the Search icon.

  5. Here you need to scroll down to see the result.

The last but not least method is an app called Link protector: URL Security. To use this app, follow the step-by-step guide given below.

  1. Download the Link Protector: URL Security from Google Play Store.

  2. Go to the SMS/WhatsApp message and copy the link.

  3. Paste the URL in the Link Protector app and then tap on the search icon.

  4. Here you will see the results, and check if the link is a spam or not.

Wrapping Up

With the tips and tricks explained in the above read, it has become easier to scan WhatsApp and SMS links to be safe and be aware of unsafe links. The methods mentioned above will let you check any suspicious links well before visiting them so that you are safe. I hope you liked this article; if you did, share it with your friends. Check out other useful tips linked below, and stay tuned to GadgetsToUse for more tech tips and tricks. You might be interested in:

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