Not so fast! Don’t click that tiny URL yet because it could be malicious. Over the years, Internet users have learned not to follow suspicious links but many blindly follow shortened URLs. Scammers, phishers, and affiliate marketers know this and regularly use shortened URLs to bypass security controls and trick unsuspecting users into visiting malicious Web sites. Clicking a malicious URL, whether in its original form or shortened, can infect your computer with malware or worse!

URL shortening services such as TinyURL.com have been around since the early 2000s. Originally designed to make long URLs easier to deal with, URL shortening services are now a must for anyone who uses microblogging sites such as Twitter. After all, with Twitter’s 140 character limit, a single URL quickly fills the entire post. By using a tiny URL, tweeters are able to explain what the link is about. URL shortening services are enjoying a resurrection thanks to Twitter and other microblogging sites.

Because short URLs often mask malicious URLs, smart Twitter users don’t randomly click these links. If the link is from a trusted source, such as CNN, the URL is most likely safe. However, links in re-tweets, from people you do not know, or found via Twitter Search may be suspect. Imagine searching twitter for “free coupon codes” and finding a Tweet with a short URL directing you to a “free coupon codes” Web site. Sounds perfect, right? So you click on the short URL only to find a nasty surprise: pornography, a scam site, or a driveby download.

One way to avoid these surprises is to use a URL expanding service or a URL preview if offered. Several URL expanding services such as ExpandMyURL.com and PrevURL.com allow you to copy and paste the short URL into a text box. Once entered, you will see the long form of the URL and, in some cases, a snapshot of the Web page that the URL represents. Once you see the long URL, you’ll be better able to determine if it is a worthwhile site. For example, a URL such as CNN.com/headlines is legitimate while a URL like HotSexPhotos.com/Priscilla is obviously a porn site.

Another technique is to type the word “preview” in front of the short URL. This works for URLs made with the TinyURL.com service. For example, if the short URL looks like “tinyurl.com/12345,” entering “preview.tinyurl.com/12345″ will take you to the TinyURL.com home page where you will see the original long form of the URL.

An add-on for the Firefox Web browser is also available from LongURLplease.com. This add-on automatically replaces short URLs with the original long URL, allowing you to be better informed before you click.

Short URLs have their place and are becoming extremely popular once again due to the popularity of microblogging. While most short URLs are legitimate links, enough of them point to malicious or pornographic sites. Use common sense and make sure that before you click, you expand the URL.

Be Smart. Be Safe.

Written by Andrea Kalli
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Andrea Kalli is the owner of Andrea Kalli Virtual Trainer and Assistant, LLC, the Outlook, SharePoint, and Business Technology Podcast, and the Small Business Podcast Directory.

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