How to Check If a Link Is Safe Before You Click

Links are the hinge point of most phishing: one click can open a fake login page, download malware, or send you down a chain of redirects. You do not need to be a security expert to apply a few habits that eliminate most risky clicks.

Read the hostname, not the headline

Phishers use misleading labels. The visible text may say "Amazon," but the URL might point to an unrelated domain. On desktop, hover carefully (or long-press on mobile) to preview the destination. If you cannot see the full URL clearly, do not click.

Watch for look‑alike domains

Small edits fool busy readers: extra words, swapped letters, hyphens, or plausible subdomains on unrelated roots. Compare against the official domain you already know—not against what the email claims.

Short links and redirect chains

URL shorteners hide the destination. Treat them as suspicious in any unexpected message. If a coworker truly sent a short link, confirm through chat or call on a known number.

Prefer typing the site yourself

For banks, email, and shopping, open the service from a bookmark or typed domain. Then find the same notification inside the app. This bypasses most link tricks entirely.

When the message is ambiguous, paste it into PhishCheck

Copy the full message—including the link text—and run it through PhishCheck. You will get structured guidance on urgency, impersonation, and suspicious patterns. It is triage, not a guarantee—but it helps you decide whether the link deserves deeper investigation.

Pair tools with common sense

No automated check replaces verifying payments, payroll, or account changes through official channels. PhishCheck is built to accelerate that first "is this sketchy?" decision so you can act with more confidence.

QR codes and social “special offers”

Links are not only in email: QR codes on posters, DMs, and forum posts can route to credential traps. Apply the same rule—identify the real hostname and compare it to what you expect—before scanning. When the context is compressed (a short caption plus a QR), paste any accompanying text into PhishCheck if something feels staged or too generous to be true.