Shortcut Scanner

Cyber criminals get more and more inventive when it comes to exploiting the vulnerabilities of a computer. In particular, malicious code can be transmitted via Windows shortcuts. To combat this kind of actions, Shortcut Scanner analyzes all the shortcuts on the target storage drive to detect traces of dangerous content and activity.

Right from the start, you should know that Shortcut Scanner does not feature proactive scanning. In other words, in cannot analyze the shortcuts as you create them, in real time, although this feature would only add to its value.

Instead, the application works just like an antivirus scanner. It can scan all the hard drives, be them local or removable ones, a specific drive, a particular folder or a shortcut.

Once the scan is complete, we shift focus to the main window, which reveals a list of all the LNK files in the target location. Shortcut Scanner enables you to see the hex mode of a file, its addresses, and more. There is a checkbox in front of each link, so selecting one or multiple items is conveniently simple.

Shortcut Scanner organizes shortcut into different categories, separating broken links from suspicious and dangerous ones.

First of all, there are the broken shortcuts, which are practically useless, as they point to a target folder or application that does not exist. While not harmful, these shortcuts are pointless.

Secondly, if a shortcut features arguments, Shortcut Scanner automatically sends it to the 'Suspicious category."

The category that gives us chills and that should interest us the most is the 'Dangerous' category. To be included in this category, a shortcut must match several criteria. For instance, it must point to a command prompt or a terminal, it must include malicious shortcuts, and it must contain arguments. A file size which is bigger than 4KB also raises questions, so it goes in the 'Dangerous' category.

While the broken links and the suspicious files can be overlooked, it is advisable that you erase the data inside the 'Dangerous' section.

Shortcut Scanner offers a way to combat infections that spread via shortcut exploiting. It is a simple application that not only targets malicious content but helps you get rid of broken shortcuts on your hard drives.