How to Check if an IP or URL is Safe: A Complete Guide

Introduction

Every day, millions of people click on links without thinking twice. While most are harmless, some lead to phishing sites, malware downloads, or other cybersecurity threats. Cybercriminals often disguise malicious URLs to look legitimate — making it harder to tell the difference.
Whether you’re an individual protecting your personal data or a business safeguarding sensitive information, knowing how to check if an IP or URL is safe is an essential cybersecurity skill in 2025.

This guide will walk you through step-by-step methods, tools, and safety tips to avoid falling victim to malicious links.

Why Checking an IP or URL Matters in 2025

Cyber threats have evolved. Attackers now use AI-generated websites, cloned login pages, and sophisticated redirections to fool even tech-savvy users.
Some key reasons to verify IPs and URLs include:

Phishing attacks – Fake websites that steal login credentials.
Drive-by downloads – Malware automatically downloads when you visit a malicious page.
Data theft – Fraudulent websites capturing personal or payment details.
Botnet infections – Malicious IPs may connect your device to criminal networks.

A single malicious link can:

Steal your personal or financial data.
Infect your device with ransomware.
Trick you into installing unwanted software.
Redirect you to scam payment pages.

In fact, according to cybersecurity trend reports, phishing and malicious domain activity have increased by over 30% in the past year. That means you must stay vigilant.

Signs of a Suspicious URL

Before even using a tool, you can manually check a link for these warning signs:

Misspelled domains (e.g., faceboook.com instead of facebook.com).
Extra or unusual characters (e.g., login-bank-secure.com).
HTTP instead of HTTPS (no padlock icon).
Shortened URLs hiding the real destination (e.g., bit.ly/xyz).
Domains with numbers or irrelevant words.
Urgent or threatening messages pushing you to click immediately.

How to Check if a URL is Safe: Step-by-Step

1. Use Online URL Scanners

These tools analyze a link against multiple databases of known malicious websites:

VirusTotal – Scans URLs against multiple threat databases.
Google Transparency Report – Checks if a site is flagged as unsafe.
IPVoid – Provides IP reputation details.
URLVoid – Checks a site’s blacklist status.

Tip: Copy and paste the suspicious URL — never click it directly.

2. Preview Shortened Links

If a link is shortened (e.g., bit.ly, tinyurl.com), preview it first:

Use CheckShortURL.com
Some services let you add a + at the end of the shortened URL to preview it.

3. Check the SSL Certificate

Look for HTTPS and the padlock icon in your browser.
Click on the padlock to view certificate details.
Ensure the certificate is valid and issued to the correct company.

4. Verify the Domain Registration

You can use WHOIS lookup tools like whois.domaintools.com to:

See the date of domain registration (recent registrations can be suspicious).
Identify the country and registrar.
Check if ownership details are hidden.

5. Scan the IP Address

To check if an IP is linked to malicious activity:

Use IPVoid.com
Use AbuseIPDB.com to see reports from other users.

6. Check Online Reputation Databases

Security companies maintain lists of dangerous sites and IPs:

Cisco Talos Intelligence
Spamhaus
FortiGuard Web Filtering

7. Use Browser Security Features

Modern browsers like Chrome, Edge, and Firefox have built-in phishing and malware detection.
Keep these features enabled in your browser settings.

8. Inspect the Link Before Clicking

Hover over the link without clicking to reveal the real destination in your browser’s status bar.
Look for misspellings, extra characters, or unusual domain extensions (e.g., “.xyz” for a banking site).
If the domain name doesn’t match the legitimate company, it’s suspicious.

9. Verify the WHOIS Information

Use Whois Lookup to see when the domain was registered and who owns it.
Newly registered domains are often used for scams.

How to Check if an IP is Safe

Identify the IP (from email headers, website lookup, etc.).
Use VirusTotal to scan the IP.
Use AbuseIPDB for reputation reports.
Perform a reverse IP lookup to see other sites hosted on the same server.
Cross-check with cybersecurity threat intelligence feeds.

Best Practices for Staying Safe

Never click links from unknown senders.
Hover over links to preview their destination before clicking.
Keep your browser and antivirus software updated.
Use multi-factor authentication to protect accounts.
Educate employees about phishing and link safety.

Internal Linking & Related Reading

For a deeper understanding of threat landscapes and prevention, explore these blogs:

What is a SOC and Why Businesses Need It
Top Cybersecurity Threats in 2025
Small Business Cybersecurity Checklist

Conclusion

Malicious links remain one of the most common entry points for cyberattacks in 2025. By combining manual inspection, trusted scanning tools, and cybersecurity best practices, you can greatly reduce your risk.
Cybersecurity isn’t just about installing antivirus — it’s about making informed decisions before you click.

FAQs

1. What is the safest way to check if a link is safe?
Use an online scanner like VirusTotal or Google Safe Browsing without clicking the link.

2. Can HTTPS websites still be dangerous?
Yes. HTTPS only means the connection is encrypted — the site can still be malicious.

3. Are shortened URLs always suspicious?
Not always, but they hide the final destination. Always preview before clicking.

4. How can I check an IP from an email?
View the email header and copy the originating IP into a reputation checker like AbuseIPDB.

5. Should I rely only on antivirus for link safety?
No. Antivirus is important, but manual checks and online tools add an extra layer of security.