When a link or app recommendation seems questionable, VirusTotal can provide an extra security check before you proceed. The online tool scans submitted links and files using multiple engines, giving users more than one assessment rather than relying only on their installed antivirus program.
To check a link, users can paste it into VirusTotal’s URL tab. A potentially suspicious file already on a computer can be uploaded for scanning, without needing to open it first.
VirusTotal is best treated as a supplementary layer of protection, not a replacement for antivirus software, which monitors for threats on a computer. The source also cautions against unnecessary downloads and website visits: malicious files may pose risks even before they are opened, while some harmful sites can trigger downloads or exploit browser vulnerabilities.
Sources: PCWorld.