Defend Yourself Online: 20+ Free Easy-to-Use Tools to Detect Scams, AI Content, and Security Threats
I received a recommendation to write about security awareness training, but numerous resources already cover this topic extensively. Instead, I will take a different approach and focus on some of the many free, easy-to-use cybersecurity tools that professionals use to protect themselves and their workplaces online. By taking this approach, we'll address the online threats you need to be aware of, along with valuable resources to defend yourself against them. Bookmark these sites for when you need them; they are pretty handy.
The most important security awareness lesson of all
Aside from having a good antivirus, if I could distill cybersecurity awareness training into a single piece of advice, it would be this: Social engineering attacks are common; they exploit your emotions to create a false sense of urgency. Be mindful of your feelings when interacting with unfamiliar individuals. I will cover this in more detail at the end of this article.
Jump links to resources below:
- Safe Browsing Tools (validate URLs, IP addresses, domains, or file hashes)
- Scam Checkers
- Expand Short URLs
- Hacked Password and Email Validator
- Phishing Verifier
- Password Strength Checker
- AI Detectors
- Privacy Tools Worth Exploring
Safe Browsing Tools
### VirusTotal
VirusTotal is a staple in every Information Security (InfoSec) professional's toolkit. You can upload suspicious files and check URLs (including short URLs, IP addresses, domains, or file hashes) to validate their legitimacy. It analyzes your submissions through nearly 100 security vendors and provides easy-to-understand results. [virustotal.com](https://www.virustotal.com)
URLScan.io
Similar to VirusTotal, URLScan.io offers a quick view of URLs and includes other features that are worth exploring. [urlscan.io](https://urlscan.io)
Google's Safe Browsing
Provides super simple and fast feedback on a website's safety. [transparencyreport.google.com/safe-browsing/search](https://transparencyreport.google.com/safe-browsing/search)
URLVoid, Website Reputation Checker
Another tool for checking website legitimacy. [urlvoid.com](https://urlvoid.com)
Scam Checkers
Scam Checkers
- **Scam Advisor:** Get information on websites, phone numbers, cryptocurrencies, and Bank Account Numbers (IBAN). [scamadviser.com](https://www.scamadviser.com)
- **Australia:** The Australian government has launched a site to protect its citizens from scams. Other governments should take note. [scamwatch.gov.au](https://www.scamwatch.gov.au)
Expand Short URLs
Before visiting any short URL, it's wise to discover the full expanded destination URL. Use resources to keep yourself safe.
- [Short URL Expander 1]
- [Short URL Expander 2]
Hacked Password and Email Validator
**Have I Been Pwned:** Check if your email or password has been compromised. [haveibeenpwned.com](https://haveibeenpwned.com)
Where Does That QR Code Take Me?
**DNS Checker**: This longstanding tool used by IT systems and security professionals can check where QR codes redirect you. [dnschecker.org](https://dnschecker.org)
Phishing Verifier
PhishTank
Join the fight against phishing. This site is dedicated to combating online phishing scams. You can submit and track suspected phishing attempts and validate other submissions. [phishtank.com](https://www.phishtank.com)
Password Strength Checker
Delinea (formerly Thycotic)
A password strength checker tool. Until passwords are completely phased out, Delinea offers an excellent resource for assessing password strength. While many tools do not accept passphrases, you can still create complex passwords that are easier to remember.
A passphrase is similar to a password but generally longer and designed to be memorable, allowing for spaces between words. For example, consider Shakespeare's phrase:
All the world's a stage
This is 23 characters long and easy to remember. To create a secure password, you can adapt the phrase like this:
All-th3-world^s-a-st@ge
It's still 23 characters, meets complexity requirements, and according to Delinea, it would take 78 septillion years to crack.
### Free AI Checkers
Cybercriminals are taking advantage of AI's immense potential, so it's essential to keep these tools on hand to safeguard yourself. As technology rapidly evolves, new tools will undoubtedly emerge. Regardless of your interest in AI, its pervasive nature affects us all, making it crucial to stay informed. When you need to verify the authenticity of communications, keep these links accessible.
#### AI Detectors
- **Scribbr** [scribbr.com](https://www.scribbr.com)
- **Grammarly** [grammarly.com](https://www.grammarly.com)
- **CopyLeaks**: Check for plagiarism [copyleaks.com](https://copyleaks.com)
- **GPTZero** [gptzero.me](https://gptzero.me)
- **ZeroGPT** [0gpt.com](https://www.0gpt.com)
- **AI Image Detector** [imageai.com](https://imageai.com)
- **Sapling.ai**: Check for AI-generated content [sapling.ai](https://sapling.ai)
This collection of resources empowers you to navigate online threats more safely and confidently.
(continued from above)
The most important security awareness lesson of all
Social engineering attacks often target your emotions. Most commonly, bad actors use a sense of urgency to prompt you to act quickly. However, some attacks employ a psychological long game, building trust over many months while gathering information before making their move.
Social media enables people to connect and develop virtual relationships over time, some of which can become quite strong. However, there are bad actors who understand this dynamic and target individuals to establish long-term virtual relationships, thereby building trust and making their scams more effective. The psychological tactics, subtlety, and patience employed by these individuals are as astonishing as they are horrifying. Because of this reality, it's imperative to remember unless you have met them and have known them for years, you don't really know them. When they ask you for something be it money or to meet, be cautious.
I know an intelligent person who fell victim to a scam. They had built a friendship with the scammer over a year and a half. This person believed they had gotten to know their virtual friend quite well, and when that friend fell on hard times and asked for help, they agreed to assist and ended up losing many thousands of dollars. As soon as the scammer received the money they were after, they vanished without a trace. Scammers often keep profiles on their victims, take notes, and remember what was said, all to appear as convincing as possible.
In today's world, it is necessary to be vigilant and verify everything.
