Phishing is one of the most common cyber threats that puts users' personal data at risk. Fraudsters use a variety of methods to deceive, and one of them is short links. They mask dangerous URLs, making them less obvious to the user. In this article, we'll look at how to recognize fraudulent short links and avoid phishing attacks.
What are short links?
Short links are compressed URLs created with services like Bitly, TinyURL, or T.ly. They are useful for shortening long web addresses, but can hide the final destination address, which is difficult to verify at a glance.
Why do phishers use short URLs?
- Address masking: Short links hide the real domain, so users don't see that they are being directed to a suspicious site.
- Bypassing filters: Antivirus programs or browsers may not recognize hidden URLs as a threat.
- Increased trust: The absence of obvious signs of a suspicious address makes a short link more attractive.
How to recognize a fraudulent short link?
- Check the link with a decryption service: Services like shurl.li allow you to expand a short link and see its destination address.
- Evaluate the context: If a short link comes from a suspicious source (unfamiliar email, social media posts), be cautious.
- Check the spelling of the domain: Even in the expanded form, URLs can contain domain errors (for example, go0gle.com instead of google.com).
- Keep an eye on HTTPS: Secure sites have a “https://” prefix and a padlock icon. The absence of these signs may indicate danger.
- Be careful with promotions and gifts: If a link promises too good an offer, it may be a trap.
What should you do if you click on a suspicious link?
- Close the tab immediately if the site seems unsafe.
- Do not enter any personal information or passwords
- Scan your device for malware with anti-virus software.
- Change your passwords if you think your data may have been compromised.
Shortcuts are a convenient tool, but they can be used for fraud. Always check the URL before clicking on a link, and be careful about the sources that send them. Your caution is the best defense against phishing attacks.