NordVPN unveils new free link-checking tool

NordVPN running on a desktop, mobile devices, Apple TV, a router and a game console

Dodgy links and malicious sites are an ever-present problem in the digital world, and one of the best VPNs in the industry has decided to do something about it—with a brand-new link-checking tool.

Called Link Checker, the new NordVPN tool lets everyday users determine the validity of any URLs they’re suspicious of. Simply paste a URL into the Link Checker site and NordVPN will put it under a microscope to see whether it's legit, or if it's stuffed with malware and phishing scams.

You can access Link Checker via any browser, on any device, and it's totally free—even if you don't have a NordVPN subscription. There's no need to create an account, either, and no limit to the number of URLs you can check.

Malicious links aren’t always easy to spot. Some cybercriminals add an extra letter or a subtle misspelling to the web address in the hopes that you won't notice, and some use URL shorteners, making it hard to scrutinize the URL in the first place.

The folks over at NordLabs (NordVPN's experimental playground designed to produce cybersecurity innovations) have made it their mission to think up new ways to combat today's most insidious scams and phishing attacks—and Link Checker is their answer to suspicious URLs.

Link Checker is a manual tool, which means you'll have to find and input links yourself, but once you have, the tool scans sites to determine whether it's safe to follow the link or not. It'll examine the URL for malware, phishing scams, and the overall legitimacy of the site—meaning you don't have to gamble your all-important data (like logins and financial information), or potentially flood your device with ads, by clicking on an uncertain link.

NordVPN running on an Android smartphone being held in one hand

Once you've copied a suspect URL into the tool, Link Checker compares it against a list of websites known to contain dodgy scams and malware, huge third-party databases maintained by security experts, and uses NordVPN's very own machine learning model to sift through public datasets. Sifting through this vast amount of data enables Link Checker to see whether the URL in question raises any red flags.

All you need to do, however, is copy the link, wait a moment, and Link Checker will let you know whether the URL is all clear or a no-go.

As you'd expect from one of the best secure VPNs on the market today, Link Checker is just one in a long line of innovations that have been unveiled in recent months. Back in late 2023, NordVPN released brand new cyber insurance to its top tier of subscribers and, in January 2024, invited independent auditors to confirm its no-logs policy for the fourth time.

TOPICS
River Hart
Tech Software Editor

River is a Tech Software Editor and VPN expert at TechRadar. They’re on-hand to keep VPN and cybersecurity content up-to-date and accurate. When they’re not helping readers find the best VPNs around (and the best deals), River can be found in close proximity to their PS5 or being pushed about the countryside by the lovely Welsh weather. 

Read more
NordVPN running on a desktop, mobile devices, Apple TV, a router and a game console
NordVPN reacts to results from its latest security audit
NordLayer
NordLayer review
New NordLayer browser interface
‘Browsers cannot stay unprotected’ - NordLayer unveils its holistic cybersecurity-focused browser
A man falling into a mobile phone screen.
Safer Internet Day: how to avoid online scams and stay safe online
best Secure VPN
Secure VPN providers 2025: safe options for the best security and encryption
Tor
What is Onion over VPN?
Latest in VPN Services
Harry Halpin, CEO and co-founder of Nym Technologies, and Chelsea Manning, Nym Technlogies' security consultant, on stage at the Frontline Club in London during the NymVPN launch on March 13, 2025.
NymVPN is now live – here's everything you need to know
Green background featuring laptop with connect button
I tried the "world's most secure VPN" and while it's not the VPN you'll want, you'll need it sooner than you think
ExpressVPN's Lightway Turbo upgrade – promo image
Can fast be faster? ExpressVPN promises it’s possible
AdGuard VPN during TechRadar tests
AdGuard becomes the latest VPN to add post-quantum encryption
ExpressVPN's new Linux app interface
ExpressVPN releases a major upgrade to its Linux app
NymVPN ap on mobile – promo image
NymVPN officially launches and claims to be "the world’s most secure VPN"
Latest in News
A super close up image of the Google Gemini app in the Play Store
It's official: Google Assistant will be retired for phones this year, with Gemini taking over
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #1147)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #378)
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #644)
Three iPhone 16 handsets on show
Apple could launch an iPhone 17 Ultra this year – but we've heard these rumors before
Super Mario Odyssey
ChatGPT is the ultimate gaming tool - here's 4 ways you can use AI to help with your next playthrough