One of the best ways to protect your computer and network from malicious software is to simply avoid opening links that appear in your email from unfamiliar senders. Additionally, you should avoid clicking on links that you weren’t expecting and those that just set off your spidey senses. When you do come across a link that you think might be okay, but you’re not entirely sure it is okay, you can check its safety with Google’s Transparency Report Site Status tool without having to open the link your computer.
In this short video I demonstrate how to use Google’s Transparency Report Site Status tool to check the safety of URLs.
Applications for Education
Over the years I’ve helped countless colleagues and students with problems on their computers. The vast majority of those problems can be traced back to malware or spyware that was installed by clicking on nefarious links. Using a tool like Google Transparency Report Site Status can help students avoid accidentally installing malware. Of course, the bigger solution is to teach students to be wary of clicking on links that they don’t expect or don’t trust.
