Link Scanner - Scan URLs for Malware & Phishing
Scanning a link before clicking is essential to protect your data from malware and phishing attacks. Expandir.link scans each URL with 70+ antivirus engines to answer: Is this link safe?
What Makes a Link Safe
Characteristics of safe links:
- HTTPS: Valid SSL certificate (green padlock)
- Known domain: google.com, paypal.com, amazon.com
- No typosquatting: No intentional typos in domain
- Trusted TLD: .com, .org, .net, .gov, .edu
- No URL shorteners: Full URL visible
Malware Statistics
Signs of a Malicious Link
Red flags:
- HTTP without S: No encryption, data exposed
- Typosquatting: g00gle.com, paypa1.com, amaz0n.com
- Suspicious TLD: .tk, .ml, .ga, .cf, .gq (free)
- Shortened URL: bit.ly/xyz, tinyurl.com/abc
- Deceptive subdomain: paypal.example.com (not PayPal)
- IP instead of domain: http://192.168.1.1/login
Never enter: passwords, SMS codes, bank details, or card numbers from a link received via WhatsApp, email, or SMS without scanning it first.
How to Scan a Link
- Copy the link without clicking (right click > Copy)
- Paste it in Expandir.link
- Check the result:
- 90-100: Safe, verified domain
- 50-89: Caution, check details
- 0-49: Dangerous, DO NOT visit
- Verify the domain: paypal.com is NOT paypa1.com
What We Detect
- Malware: URLs hosting malicious software
- Phishing: Pages impersonating brands
- Typosquatting: Domains with intentional typos
- Shortened URLs: We expand and show real destination
- SSL Certificate: We verify HTTPS
- Domain age: New domains are suspicious
How Link Scanning Works
Expandir.link scans every URL through multiple security layers to give you a comprehensive safety report:
- 70+ antivirus engines: VirusTotal, McAfee, Kaspersky, Avast and more scan the URL simultaneously
- Phishing databases: PhishTank and URLhaus identify known phishing pages in real time
- Domain reputation: We check domain age, WHOIS data, DNS records, and hosting location
- SSL verification: We confirm whether the site uses valid HTTPS encryption
- AI-powered detection: Our machine learning model identifies phishing patterns not yet in databases
- URL expansion: Shortened URLs are automatically expanded to show the real destination
Common Types of Malicious Links
Phishing Links
Phishing pages replicate legitimate websites to steal your login credentials, credit card numbers, or personal information. According to the FBI, phishing was the most common cybercrime in 2025, with over 300,000 complaints in the US alone. Banks, streaming services, and government portals are the most frequently impersonated categories.
Malware Links
Some links trigger automatic downloads of malicious software including ransomware, spyware, and trojans. These often arrive disguised as software updates, free downloads, or document attachments. A link scanner checks the destination for known malware before you visit.
Typosquatting
Attackers register domains with subtle typos that look identical to real ones: paypa1.com (1 instead of l), g00gle.com (0 instead of o), or netfliix.com (extra letter). These fake domains capture traffic from users who mistype URLs. Our scanner detects these patterns automatically.
URL Shortener Abuse
Short links from bit.ly, tinyurl, and cutt.ly hide the real destination. Attackers use them because users can't see where they'll land. Expandir.link automatically expands these URLs and analyzes the final destination before you click.
Real Examples: Fake vs. Legitimate URLs
| ❌ paypa1.com | 1 instead of l (typosquatting) |
| ❌ netfl1x.com | 1 instead of l (typosquatting) |
| ❌ paypal-secure.com | Adds "secure" to appear official |
| ❌ bit.ly/3xK9mZ | Shortened URL hiding destination |
| ✅ paypal.com | Official verified domain |
What to Do If You Clicked a Dangerous Link
🚨 If you clicked a dangerous link or entered data:
- Change your password immediately from a secure device
- Enable two-factor authentication on all affected accounts
- Contact your bank and freeze cards if you entered financial data
- Monitor your accounts for unauthorized activity over the next 30 days
- Report the incident to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Always scan links at Expandir.link before clicking
Phishing Statistics (US/UK 2025-2026)
Source: FBI Internet Crime Report 2025, UK NCSC, PhishTank. Phishing remains the most common cyberattack vector worldwide.
Security Tips
- Always scan links before entering any personal data
- Be suspicious of messages that create urgency or fear
- Verify with the official source before acting on any request
- Use two-factor authentication on all accounts
- Never share SMS codes with anyone
- Scan any suspicious link at Expandir.link before visiting
- Block and report contacts who send suspicious links
Why Link Scanning Matters More Than Ever
Every day, over 560,000 new malware samples are created and distributed through malicious links. Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using AI to generate convincing phishing pages and automating attacks at scale. A single click on a malicious link can result in identity theft, financial loss, or ransomware infection.
Link scanning provides a critical layer of defense by analyzing the destination before you visit it. Instead of blindly trusting a URL, you get an objective safety assessment backed by data from 70+ antivirus engines and real-time phishing databases. This transforms your security posture from reactive to proactive.
The average cost of a phishing attack for an individual is over $150, and for businesses it exceeds $4.9 million. Taking five seconds to scan a link can save you from devastating consequences.
How to Protect Yourself From Malicious Links
- Never click links blindly — always scan first with Expandir.link
- Hover before clicking — check the URL in the bottom-left corner of your browser
- Check for typosquatting — look for substituted characters like paypa1.com (1 instead of l)
- Be wary of urgency — legitimate companies rarely demand immediate action via email or message
- Use two-factor authentication on all accounts to add a second layer of protection
- Verify through official channels — if a bank emails you, log in through their official app instead
- Report suspicious links to help protect others from the same threats
Link Scanning FAQ
Is Expandir.link free to use?
Yes, completely free with no registration required. You can scan as many links as you want, with no limits.
Can a link be dangerous even with HTTPS?
Absolutely. HTTPS only means the connection is encrypted — it does not mean the website is legitimate. Phishing sites regularly use HTTPS certificates, which are now free and easy to obtain. Always scan the link to verify its safety.
What happens if a link is flagged as dangerous?
If a link scores 0-49 on our safety scale, do not visit it. Close the message, report the sender, and if you already clicked, change your passwords immediately and enable two-factor authentication.
Related Resources
- URL Safety Checker
- Check Suspicious Link
- Check WhatsApp Link
- Detectar Phishing
- Verificar Enlace Seguro
HTTPS Does Not Mean Safe
Important: HTTPS (the green padlock) only means the connection is encrypted, NOT that the website is legitimate. Most phishing sites now use SSL certificates. Always verify the domain and use Expandir.link for a complete analysis.
Shortened URL Risks Explained
URL shorteners like bit.ly, tinyurl, and cutt.ly are convenient but dangerous. When you see a shortened link, you have no way of knowing where it leads before clicking. Attackers exploit this by hiding phishing pages, malware downloads, and scam sites behind innocent-looking short URLs.
Expandir.link automatically expands shortened URLs, following all redirects to reveal the true destination. This means you can see exactly where bit.ly/xyz actually leads before deciding whether to visit.
- Short links can be changed: Attackers can modify the destination of a shortened URL at any time, so a link that was safe yesterday may be dangerous today
- Link previews can be faked: WhatsApp and social media previews may show a legitimate site while the actual destination is a phishing page
- Multiple redirects: Some malicious links redirect through 3-5 intermediate URLs before reaching the final dangerous destination
How to Verify a Suspicious Link Manually
Before using a link scanner, you can perform these quick manual checks:
- Hover over the link (don't click) to see the actual URL in your browser's status bar
- Check the domain carefully: paypal.com is NOT paypa1.com or paypal-secure.com
- Look for HTTPS: But remember, phishing sites also use HTTPS
- Watch for urgency: Legitimate companies don't threaten to suspend accounts in 24 hours
- Verify through official channels: Contact the company directly through their official website or phone number