IndiaDigital Scam Checker vs VirusTotal and Google Safe Browsing: checking a link
Use both. VirusTotal and Google Safe Browsing are best for checking whether a website is already known to be dangerous, using large blocklists. IndiaDigital's Scam Checker is best for reading the whole message around the link in English, Hindi or Hinglish, on your phone, without sending the link or text anywhere. A new scam link may not be blocklisted yet.
Best for judging a whole SMS or WhatsApp message (words, number, UPI ID and link together) privately.
Best for checking a website against security blocklists and dozens of antivirus scanners.
Check a message now →Facts last checked:
Side by side
| Feature | IndiaDigital | VirusTotal and Google Safe Browsing |
|---|---|---|
| What it checks | The whole message: wording, links, numbers and UPI IDs, for known Indian scam patterns | Safe Browsing: whether a website is currently known to be dangerous. VirusTotal: a URL or file against "over 70 antivirus scanners" and blocklists |
| Hindi and Hinglish text | Yes | Not applicable: they check the website, not the message |
| Brand-new scam links | Flags suspicious patterns even when the site is new | A site not yet reported may show no warning |
| Where your input goes | Nothing is uploaded; the check runs on your phone | The URL is sent to their service. VirusTotal says submitted URLs are shared with the security community and asks you not to submit personal information |
| Account | None | None needed for a basic check |
| Cost | Free | Free basic checks |
You got a link in an SMS or WhatsApp
Paste the whole message into the Scam Checker first. Scams are often obvious from the words around the link: a deadline, a threat to block your account, a refund you did not expect, or a request for an OTP or UPI PIN. The check runs on your phone.
If you still want to check the website itself, Google's Safe Browsing site status lets you "search to see whether a website is currently dangerous to visit", and VirusTotal scans a URL with many security vendors. Do not open the link to find out.
Privacy
A link in a personal message can contain your name, phone number or a tracking code. VirusTotal's submission page warns not to submit personal information, because submitted URLs are shared with the security community. IndiaDigital never sends what you paste anywhere.
Reporting
None of these tools takes a fraud report. Report fraud calls, SMS and WhatsApp on Chakshu (sancharsaathi.gov.in), and if you lost money, call 1930 or report at cybercrime.gov.in.
Where VirusTotal and Google Safe Browsing are stronger
- Huge, constantly updated blocklists and dozens of antivirus engines.
- They can detect malware sites that look harmless in a message.
- They check any website worldwide, not just Indian scam patterns.
Where IndiaDigital is better
- Reads the whole message, including Hindi and Hinglish wording.
- Catches new scam messages before a site is blocklisted.
- Nothing you paste is uploaded or shared.
Frequently asked questions
If VirusTotal says a link is clean, is it safe?
Not necessarily. New scam sites appear every day and may not be in any blocklist yet. Judge the message too: a request for an OTP, UPI PIN, fee or urgent payment is a red flag whatever a scanner says.
Does the Scam Checker open the link?
No. It reads the link text on your phone and never visits the site, so it cannot trigger anything on the page.
Is it safe to paste a personal message into VirusTotal?
VirusTotal's own page asks you not to submit personal information and says submitted URLs are shared with the security community. Remove personal parts first, or use an on-device checker.
Where do I report a scam link?
Report fraud SMS, calls and WhatsApp messages on Chakshu at sancharsaathi.gov.in. If you lost money, call 1930 or file at cybercrime.gov.in.
Sources
Facts last checked:
- Google Transparency Report: Safe Browsing site status
- VirusTotal: how it works
- VirusTotal: URL submission page
- Chakshu: report suspected fraud communication
- National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
VirusTotal and Google Safe Browsing is named only to identify the service. Facts about it come from its own pages and may change. Prices and features are as shown on the date above. Spotted something out of date? Tell us. Contact us