Shortened URLs essentially condense a link so it can fit in a smaller space. This is especially ideal for sites like Twitter that restrict the number of characters used. Popular shorteners include TinyURL and Bit.ly. While it may seem helpful to abridge a link, this can also be a major security risk. Now users can’t immediately tell if they are being redirected to a faulty or infected site. We generally advise people to be wary of links in general, but shortened URLs should especially be paid attention to.
To check the legitimacy of a link, hover over it and look in the lower left corner of the screen to see if the link matches. With shortened URLs, it is impossible to complete this particular verification method. Because of this, cybercriminals are taking advantage and using these “abbreviations” as a way to spread malware. This is especially the case on various social networks, since it can appear like they are sent from friends.
If you are hesitant about a link you come across, there are a couple ways that you can check if you are being taken to a safe site. One way is to use verification sites such as AVG’s Linkscanner that can detect faulty pages behind shortened URLs. Also be sure you anti-virus software is up-to-date. This way, just in case you click on a link, your software can help protect you.
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