A friend sends you a link, or you see an interesting post online, but the link looks short and unfamiliar. You might wonder: could this be a virus? Or is it tracking my information?
This is a valid concern. Today, let's learn how to identify these "suspicious" links to protect your online safety.
What Are Tracking Links (or Short URLs)?
You've definitely seen links like bit.ly/xxxx, t.co/xxxx, or other very short web addresses. These are commonly known as "short URLs."
Their purpose is to turn a long, complicated URL into a short, easy-to-share one. For example, a very long Amazon product URL can be shortened into a tiny link, making it convenient to share on Twitter or in a text message.
Most short links are harmless. Their main purpose is convenience and tracking click counts (like we discussed in a previous article). The problem is, you can't tell where a short link will take you just by looking at it. This ambiguity can be exploited by malicious actors.
How to Spot a Short Link?
This is easy—it's all about the domain name. A normal, full link usually tells you which website it belongs to at a glance, for example:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VGRJDFY(Amazon)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abcde(YouTube)
A short link or tracking link, however, will typically use a domain from a URL shortening service, such as:
bit.ly/...t.co/...(Used by Twitter)goo.gl/...(Discontinued, but you might still see old ones)- And any other short, unfamiliar domain name.
The Key Trick: Preview the Link Before Clicking!
If you are unsure about a link's safety, never click it directly! Instead, use a "link expander" or "link preview" tool to safely see its true destination.
These tools act as a middleman. They will "visit" the short link for you and report back what the final, full-length URL is, all without exposing your own computer or phone to any risk.
How to Use a Link Preview Tool
- Copy the Short Link: When you see a suspicious link, long-press it (on mobile) or right-click it (on a computer) and select "Copy Link Address." Be careful to copy, not open!
- Open a Preview Website: In your browser, open a link preview tool. You can search for "link checker" or "URL expander." Many free tools are available, such as the Link Checker from iplogger.icu.
- Paste and Check: Paste the short link you copied into the input box on the tool's website and click the "Check" or "Preview" button.
- Review the Result: The tool will display the original, full-length URL that the short link points to. Now you can make an informed decision:
- If the original URL is from a website you know and trust (like YouTube, Amazon, a major news site, etc.), it's likely safe.
- If the original URL looks strange, is from a domain you don't recognize, or contains suspicious words, it's best to avoid it.
Safe Browsing Summary
Making a habit of "check before you click" is the first step to protecting yourself online. Short links are neutral tools, but we must be cautious of those from unknown sources.
To recap: Copy the link -> Use a tool to check it -> Click only if it's safe. This simple three-step process can help you avoid the vast majority of risks from malicious links.