What is real-time URL scanning?

Email security threats continue to evolve, with malicious URLs becoming increasingly sophisticated. According to research from Beijing Electronic Science and Technology Institute, phishers frequently masquerade as trustworthy entities to obtain sensitive data such as usernames, passwords, and financial information. Their analysis shows that attackers commonly use compromised servers and free web hosting services to launch these attacks, making them harder to detect through traditional means.

How real-time URL scanning works

Unlike traditional security measures that rely on static blocklists, real-time URL scanning analyzes links at the moment a user clicks them. This dynamic approach provides protection against zero-day threats and sophisticated attacks that use legitimate-looking URLs that may turn malicious after passing initial security checks.

When a user clicks a link in an email, the URL scanning system:

• Intercepts the click before connecting to the destination
• Analyzes the URL's lexical features (including suspicious words, brand names, and URL patterns)
• Checks for malicious content, redirects, or suspicious behavior
• Either allows access or blocks the connection based on results

The researchers found that this type of real-time analysis achieves over 93% accuracy in detecting phishing attempts, with less than 1% error rates in real-world scenarios.

The importance for healthcare organizations

Healthcare organizations face unique challenges when it comes to email security. With sensitive patient data at stake and HIPAA compliance requirements to consider, preventing access to malicious websites is important. Real-time scanning helps protect against:

• Phishing attempts targeting patient information
• Credential theft targeting healthcare portals
• Ransomware delivery through compromised websites
• Business email compromise attacks

Benefits of real-time URL scanning

• Protection against time-bombed URLs: Cybercriminals often use URLs that appear safe initially but turn malicious after passing through security checks. Real-time scanning catches these threats by evaluating links when users actually attempt to access them, not just when emails arrive.
• Defense against dynamic threats: Modern phishing sites can detect and evade security tools by showing different content based on who's accessing them. Real-time scanning uses advanced techniques to appear as a real user, revealing the true nature of suspicious sites.
• Reduced administrative burden: Security teams no longer need to maintain extensive blocklists or constantly update URL databases. Real-time scanning automatically adapts to new threats without manual intervention.

FAQs

Will real-time scanning slow down email communications?

Modern URL scanning systems are designed to work quickly and efficiently. While there might be a brief delay when clicking links (usually milliseconds), there's no impact on email delivery or normal business operations.

How does this differ from traditional URL filtering?

Traditional filtering checks URLs against static databases of known threats. Real-time scanning actively analyzes URLs when they're accessed, protecting against new threats that haven't yet been added to databases.

What happens if a malicious URL is detected?

The system blocks access to the website and typically displays a warning message to the user. Security teams can receive alerts about the attempt, and detailed logs help track potential security incidents.