What is a URL?
In one sentence: A web address, such as https://example.com/page.
A little more
A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) tells your browser exactly where something is: the scheme (https), the host (example.com), sometimes a port, the path (/page), an optional query (?q=cats) and an optional fragment (#top).
Reading the host from right to left tells you who really owns a link, which is the best way to spot fake login pages.
It's a bit like… A full postal address with country, town, street, house and the name on the letter.
See it in action
- 2Anatomy of a web addressPaste any web address and see it taken apart, colour by colour: scheme, host, port, path, query and the fragment that never reaches the server.5 min · interactive
- 16How can you spot a fake message?Sort a pretend inbox of real and sneaky fake messages from games, banks, parcels and friends.7 min · interactive