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    Safety & Privacy
    Beginner
    3 min read 5 stepsApril 7, 2026Verified April 2026

    How to Tell If a Link Is Safe Before You Click It

    Not sure if a link is safe to tap? These quick checks can help you avoid fake websites and scams.

    In this guide (5 steps):

    1. 1.Look at the web address carefully
    2. 2.Check for HTTPS
    3. 3.Use Google's Safe Browsing checker
    4. 4.Be extra careful with shortened links
    5. 5.When in doubt, go directly to the website
    1

    Look at the web address carefully

    ~28s
    Scammers create fake websites with addresses that look almost right. Before tapping a link, look at the full address. Real addresses: amazon.com, paypal.com, bankofamerica.com. Fake addresses: amazon-support.net, paypa1.com (with a number 1), bankofamerica.customer-service.com. The part right before the first "/" is the real domain — that's what matters.

    Quick Tip

    On your phone, press and hold a link (don't tap) to see the full web address before visiting it. On a computer, hover your mouse over a link to see the address at the bottom of the screen.

    2

    Check for HTTPS

    ~25s
    Legitimate websites use HTTPS (the "S" stands for secure). When you visit a website, look for a padlock icon in your browser's address bar. If you see a warning like "Not Secure" or an X instead of a padlock, do not enter any personal information on that site.

    Warning

    A padlock icon means the connection is encrypted — but it does NOT guarantee the site is legitimate. Scammers can also get HTTPS certificates. Always check the full web address too.

    3

    Use Google's Safe Browsing checker

    ~18s
    Google offers a free tool to check if any link is safe. Go to transparencyreport.google.com/safe-browsing/search and paste the link into the search box. Google will tell you instantly if the site is known to be dangerous.

    Quick Tip

    You can also check a link at Norton Safe Web (safeweb.norton.com) or URLVoid (urlvoid.com) for a second opinion.

    4

    Be extra careful with shortened links

    ~16s
    Links that start with "bit.ly," "tinyurl.com," or "t.co" hide the real destination. You cannot tell where they go just by looking. If you receive a shortened link from an unknown source, use a link expander like checkshorturl.com to see the full address before tapping.
    5

    When in doubt, go directly to the website

    ~30s
    If a text or email says there's a problem with your Amazon order, your bank account, or a package — do not tap any link. Instead, open your web browser and type the company's real website address yourself (amazon.com, your bank's website, etc.). If there really is an issue, you will see it when you log in.

    Quick Tip

    Save the websites you use most as bookmarks in your browser. When you want to check your bank or shop online, tap your saved bookmark instead of any link sent to you.

    You Did It!

    You've completed: How to Tell If a Link Is Safe Before You Click It

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    Official Resources

    FTC Consumer ProtectionCISA — Cybersecurity TipsAARP Fraud Watch Network

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

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    How to Tell If a Link Is Safe Before You Click It — Step-by-Step Guide | TekSure