Rahul Nikam
4 min readJul 3, 2023

How to Check for Malicious and Phishing Links - URLScan.io, BrightCloud, and Browserling"

Check Malicious Links

How to check if the links/URLs are malicious/phishing or not?
Malicious URL: http://rxqsd.com/9n4fbg (URL Sample (link is dead), can use your own)
Tools: URL Scan io, BrightCloud, Browserling
We need to answer all the questions below:
1. Check the URL behaviour using https://urlscan.io/
Result:

2. Check domain reputation using https://www.brightcloud.com/tools/url-ip-lookup.php
Result:

3. Interact with URL using virtual sandboxed browser from https://www.browserling.com/
Result:

Investigation
First, we need to check the URL behavior using URL Scan (https://urlscan.io/). Open the website.

Then put the URL address that you want to check and click Public Scan

After you click the Public Scan it takes some time to complete the scanning.
Now, we got the result. As we can see it stated this URL is Malicious Activity. The URLScan.io verdict is potentially malicious.

We also can see this URL targeting which brand. In this case, they are targeting the Swiss Post (National postal service of Switzerland)

Now, we have an answer for Questions1.

Check the URL behaviour using https://urlscan.io/
Result: Potential Malicious
Next, we check the domain reputation using BrightCloud
(https://www.brightcloud.com/tools/url-ip-lookup.php). Copy the Effective URL from the precious URL scan.

Then put the URL address that you want to check and click LOOK UP

Now, we got the result. As we can see it stated that web reputation is suspicious (40 of 100).

Now, we have an answer for Questions2.

Check domain reputation using https://www.brightcloud.com/tools/url-ip-lookup.php
Result: Suspicious
Finally, we interact with URL using Browserling (https://www.browserling.com/). This virtual
sandboxed browser allows us to running web applications in isolated environments to prevent
browser-based malware from spreading to the network. Copy the URL.

Then put the URL address that you want to check.

Choose the browser that you prefer and click Test now. For me, I like to use Chrome.
After clicking Test now! you need to wait for a moment for the browser to establish the connection.

Finally, we are on the page that we need to fill in all the details. From here we know this is phishing.
They also ask for our credit card details. This is finally, we are on the page where we need to fill in all the details. From here we know this is
phishing.
They also ask for our credit card details. This is a red flag.

Conclusion:

Based on the investigations using the above tools, we can conclude that the links/URLs are malicious. The threat actor used the phishing method to harvest credit card information and personal data.

Summary of Results:

Check the URL behaviour using https://urlscan.io/ Result: Potential Malicious

Check domain reputation using https://www.brightcloud.com/tools/url-ip-lookup.php Result: Suspicious

Interact with URL using virtual sandboxed browser from https://www.browserling.com/ Result: Phishing URL to harvest credit card info and personal data | Phishing link

Check the URL behaviour using https://urlscan.io/
Result: Potential Malicious

Check domain reputation using https://www.brightcloud.com/tools/url-ip-lookup.php
Result: Suspicious

Interact with URL using virtual sandboxed browser from https://www.browserling.com/
Result: Phishing URL to harvest credit card info and personal data | Phishing link.