Overview
The Era of Internet has brought everything to our doorsteps and pretty much at our fingetips, so much that even groceries are now available at our doorstep. Being so Internet enthusiast has its own advantage and sometimes disadvantages. There is also a chance, maybe minimal, that your account can get hacked or may fall prey to a phishing link. Whether you are surfing through your mails, client IDs or just going about your social networking sites, the links that are used can dive you into the world of new information. One click, you may end up enjoying a good story or on other hand, you may be trying you swim yourself up out of potentially harming website.
Below are the few factors that you must look for before clicking on some shady or doubtful link. This will only help you keep your privacy and your data safe.
Check your Browser
Browser save most of your work if you know what to look for. Double-check the URL of your social networking site, banking website or e-mails before you log on to them. Most of the browsers now like Firefox, Chrome and even Internet Explorer show a color-change on the left side of the address bar to indicate the site is legitimate and verified. Always check HTTPS instead of less secure HTTP, although the former isn’t all fool proof. The best suggestion is to type in your URL rather than clicking on some link in an e-mail.
Check the Link
Don’t we always receive some links form our friends of an ostensibly hilarious video, links posted on your wall or e-mailed to you. There is certainly a sure way to get this link or links checked before falling prey to some scam. Type in this URL http://google.com/safebrowsing/diagnostic?site= followed by name of the site or IP address. It will notify you if that particular site or address has hosted malware in past 90 days.
hpHosts and Web Safety
Another similar service is hpHost, just enter the URL into the search box and its database will show you all the history of the input site, if the site has been used to phishing attacks or distribute malware. HpHosts gives more detailed information about a desired site compared to Google Safe Browsing. There are other safe services like Norton Safe Web, from Symantec, and Unmasked Parasites, pop in the URL and you are good to go, but if the site comes back as unsafe, then avoid clicking.
Browser Add-ons
Many browsers come with browser add-ons to check and scan the links when you click on them, these work fairly well in checking scanning your search results and also indicate if the link is ordained safe or not.
Unfortunately, Apple products such as iPhone and iPad do not allow such link checking or scanning apps. Even though the phishing over the social networking sites has been proved to break into iOS devices.
Being informed and alert is the only way to avoid or prevent any online scams and phishing attacks. Every boon comes with a curse, and in this Internet age, the bug is everywhere to infect and spread the virus.
Other Related Guides
How to Do Online Shopping, Mooc (Online Education), How to Check if a Website Is Safe!
