How do I check whether a short link is safe?
Add a + to the end of the link (for example, name.lsu.kr/Ab3dE9+) and you will see the real destination and its safety status before actually going there. lsu.kr also re-checks every link once a day to catch sites that turn risky after creation.
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What happens when I add + to the end of a link?
If a link you received over KakaoTalk or SMS looks like name.lsu.kr/Ab3dE9, just add + at the end (name.lsu.kr/Ab3dE9+) and open it in your browser. Instead of redirecting right away, a preview page shows the real destination address, the safety check status, and a report button.
If the destination on the preview page looks different from the company or organization you expected, or simply feels off, just close the tab instead of tapping the continue button. If something looks clearly suspicious, you can report it right there from the same screen.
What checks does lsu.kr run when a link is created?
Every lsu.kr link has to pass several checks before it is created: whether the destination domain has been registered for at least 1 month (30 days), whether the site is actually reachable, whether it appears on the KCSC (Korea Communications Standards Commission) block list or on malware/phishing lists such as URLhaus and OpenPhish, and whether it contains illegal-content keywords.
Checks do not stop once a link exists. Every link is re-checked every 3 hours to catch destinations that turn dangerous later, and a link is automatically blocked once three different people report it. Changing the destination address triggers the same checks again.
- Domain registered for 6+ months
- Destination is actually reachable
- Checked against the KCSC block list
- Checked against URLhaus/OpenPhish malware and phishing lists
- Each hop is re-checked when a redirect chain continues
- Links pointing to internal/private-network addresses are blocked
What red flags should I look for on the preview page?
Passing the safety checks does not remove every risk — some judgment is still up to you. Be suspicious if the destination on the preview page is an unfamiliar domain impersonating a bank, courier or government agency, or if the page asks for your ID number, card number or account password after you continue.
If you see any of these signs, close the preview instead of continuing, and confirm with the sender through another channel, such as a phone call.
- A domain that differs from the official address you already know
- A page that immediately asks for payment details or a verification code
- Urgent wording like "expires today" or "payment overdue"
- A link that arrived from an unknown sender by text or KakaoTalk
How do I check whether a short link is safe?: step by step
- Add + to the addressIf the link looks like
name.lsu.kr/code, add+at the end to openname.lsu.kr/code+. In a messaging app, long-press the link to copy it, paste it into your browser, then add+. - Check the destination addressLook at the actual destination domain shown on the preview page and compare it with the company or organization you expect.
- Check the safety statusThe same screen shows whether the link passed the safety checks and when it was last checked. Do not continue if the status looks suspicious.
- Report if it looks wrongIf the destination looks wrong, do not continue — use the report button on the same screen instead. A link is automatically blocked once three different people report it.
Frequently asked questions
I added + but it redirected instead of showing a preview. What now?
Double-check that the + was added correctly at the very end of the link. If it still behaves oddly, avoid clicking the link again and confirm with the sender through a separate channel instead.
Is a link that passes the safety checks 100% safe?
The checks cover domain age, block lists and malware/phishing lists, but they cannot instantly stop a destination site from changing its content later. That is why re-checks every 3 hours and the report feature both run continuously.
Can bots or automation tools create links like this?
No. lsu.kr only allows links created by a person using a real browser, not by bots, AI agents or automation tools, which makes it hard to mass-produce spammy links.
Does the subdomain name affect safety too?
The name itself, as in name.lsu.kr, is chosen by whoever creates the link, but the destination address still goes through the same safety checks. See creating a subdomain short link for how naming works.
How would I explain this to a parent or family member who is not tech-savvy?
One sentence is enough: "Before tapping an lsu.kr link in a text, add a + to the end first to see where it really goes." Encourage them to do this especially when the sender is unfamiliar or the message is pushing them to act quickly.