when you get a link in email or say see one on a webpage those one url links that arnt a full link I forget what there called but is there a way to scan them or see what web addy it takes you to before clicking it
http://app.webinspector.com/?track=1716&key5sk1=e84dc3f705af70ab6c9cf21a99797d5814ee40db\ or right click the short link and click properties.
FYI: some "you'd think they would know better" companies use shortening/expansion services for tracking pixels, other types of tracking, to link to email preference pages that reveal email address but don't require sign-in, to provide customers with order confirmation and/or package tracking information, etc. IOW, things that you might not want a third-party shorturl checker to trigger and/or see.
Link itself is not never dangerous. But if it recommends to You something to download or downloading begins automatically, You may get dangerous or malicious file. So do not download never nothing, if You do not know, what it is and from where it comes. None of the link scanners cannot help anybody never.
In real life that is mostly true, but you can arrive at site that exploits some non-patched vulnerability and you could get infected without downloading anything. Link scanners can give you warning for sites on their black list. It's far from bullet proof but it can give you some basic info. That's why I wouldn't say that they "can't help anybody ever".
Windows HOSTS file blocks. uBlock (origin) for firefox/chrome/opera/Vivaldi can use HOSTS files (there are several possible for ads, scam fakes etc) beside the already listed malware lists (have to be activated). https://hosts-file.net/?s=Download (section "Individual Classifications") if uBlock blocks some site for reason id dont care - blocked is blocked - no need to take risks i cant investigate. recommended - dont investigate as a newcomer if you dont can handle all the risks!
Shortened URLs are an impediment to privacy because they obscure full URLs (which contain important clues). Many of the shortening services are also engaged in tracking because it is a convenient central place to gather information. Use of third-party shortening services adds yet another layer of concern. For some information is exposed to that third-party when a link is shortened and/or expanded. It sees the full URL (which may have revealing info within it) and thus it can also load the full URL to see the destination page (which may have revealing info within it). Shortened URL checking services (normally another third-party) can also see those.
As usual, thanks for your posts TWB. I don't always understand your posts, but this says it plain and simple.