Top 5 Online Tools to Scan URLs and Files for Danger
Certain URL’s and files can be dangerous in terms of our online security. As a result, for many people who surf the web, whether to click a link, or to leave it, is a question that comes up almost every day. For example, many people question whether or not to open an email attachment for fear of it containing unsafe data. Of course browsers are supposed to be able to prevent unsafe data from corrupting our computers via an in built system that enables browsers to check out the reputation of websites and files, but this system is not always reliable. Therefore, manual ways of scanning URL’s and files for danger can be a better alternative, and can add more layers of checks beyond those automatically offered.
Here are the top 5 online tools to scan URL’s and files for danger:
- VirusTotal
Using the VirusTotal website is one of the best ways to check out the security and reputation of websites. The VirusTotal website runs a check over the file or website in question. The results from VirusTotal can be tricky to interpret, but the VirusTotal site is still one of the best out there as because it has tonnes of submissions every day, it can show up problem files and links quickly.
- Google Safe Browsing
Google gets tonnes of online traffic every day. Google Safe Browsing can check over, and compare the web addresses and links that access it and are posted.
- Web of Trust (WoT)
WoT can be used as a browser plug in, or through a website. WoT uses crowdsourced data that is sent in by members to check over the safety of links and files. Although WoT has a lower throughput of data, and can miss some unsafe sites, a positive aspect of WoT is that it is based on member feedback and allows positive and negative reviews.
- McAfee WebAdvisor
McAfee WebAdvisor sees tones of suspicious and dangerous sites and files because it is one of the largest reputation services on the internet. However, McAfee WebAdvisor requires a plug-in and not everyone will want to use that, even though it is free.
- Comodo Web Inspector
Comodo is a little bit of different type of service to assess website and file reputation. Comodo Web Inspector was set up to allow website owners to check their own domains for harmful and malicious content. Comodo Web Inspector provides a detailed analysis of checks, and highlights a number of things such as dangerous connections, scripts and possible phishing reports.
