CLOUD FARE’S URL SCANNER

INTRODUCTION

Cloudflare recently introduced its URL Scanner, a tool designed to help users detect and protect against malicious websites by scanning and analyzing them. Since its launch in March, the URL Scanner has processed nearly a million scans and has continuously been improved with new features like unlisted scans, detailed malicious verdicts, enhanced search options, integration with Cloudflare’s Security Center, and an API for developers. Click here malicious URL scanner for website safety

INTEGRATION WITH SECURITY CENTRE

One of the key updates to the URL Scanner is its integration with the Security Center, which is available through the Cloudflare Dashboard. Security Center provides users with a centralized place to monitor potential security risks and protect their systems. Now, users can access the URL Scanner directly from the Investigate Portal, allowing for more efficient website security analysis.

The scans performed via the Security Center are private by default, meaning they won’t be listed publicly, which ensures confidentiality. Users can review their previous scans and access related reports at any time, which include automatic screenshots for different screen sizes. This helps provide more detailed information about each website being scanned.

URL SCANNER API

The URL Scanner API provides developers with the ability to perform custom scans to detect phishing attempts, malware, and other threats. Developers can now use features such as setting custom HTTP headers and capturing screenshots from multiple devices (e.g., mobile and desktop). The API also allows for scans to be marked as private or public, depending on the user’s preference.

ENHANCED SCAN RESULTS

Once a scan is complete, users can access a report that includes detailed information such as the site’s malicious status, network log, and any security violations detected. Developers can even scan their own websites to get recommendations from Cloudflare’s security analysis tools. Additionally, developers can use new search functions to look for scans by hostname, URL, or specific paths. Future plans include expanding these searches to include IP addresses and malicious website categories.

BUILDING THE URL SCANNER

The URL Scanner was built using Cloudflare Workers, Durable Objects, and the Browser Rendering API. Cloudflare Workers handle the public API, while Durable Objects manage the orchestration of scans. The Browser Rendering API plays a crucial role by providing the infrastructure needed to launch Chrome browsers for scanning websites.

The scanning process has been broken down into four key phases:

1. Queue a scan.
2. Browse the website and compile an initial report.
3. Post-process the scan to gather additional information.
4. Store the final report for users to access.

These steps ensure that the scans are efficient, detailed, and accessible to users when needed.

FUTURE UPDATES

Looking forward, Cloudflare plans to introduce more features to the URL Scanner, including geographic scans to provide insights into regional security threats, expanded details on scanned websites, and performance improvements to deliver even faster scan results. The URL Scanner remains accessible to the public for basic scans through Cloudflare Radar, allowing everyone to benefit from this powerful tool.

Cloudflare remains committed to improving Internet safety through innovation, offering tools like the URL Scanner to make the digital world more secure for all users.