Compressed URLs or shortened links have become very common in today’s digital world. However, these are way more useful for social networking sites, emails, and other channels that are limited in this regard, which you can’t do with normal URLs. Shortened URLs help cut down space usage, making it easy to share among people. But like any other feature, compressed URLs are equally riddled with risks that users should be made aware of. This article will be looking into how can you mitigate the potential risk associated with a compressed URL and enjoy a safely secured experience in browsing.
What is a Compressed URL?
A compressed URL is nothing but a short version of a very long web address. Tools like Bit.ly, TinyURL, or Google’s URL Shortener, allow the users to create such shortened URLs. This saves a lot of typing and makes it easy to share and cleanly work with. When a compressed URL is really simple, it comes with ignorance toward some important information like, for instance, where the link is going to take you.
Why are compressed URLs risky?
Compressed URLs are risky because they hide the final destination. The standard URL could indicate a website name or domain (e.g., www.compressedURLs.com), but such information gets hidden in a compressed URL. That is why cybercriminals misuse the compressed URLs and lure people to malicious sites. These sites may include the likes of viruses, phishing scams, or other harmful content.
Furthermore, another issue is that compressed URLs can be used for spam or even malware. Since the URL is short and doesn’t show the whole address, users won’t be able to see if it is a safe or dangerous link. This is the reason that how can you mitigate the potential risk associated with a compressed url becomes one of the important concerns regarding online security.
How To Reduce The Risks Of Using Compressed Urls: Let’s Find
We thoroughly covered the effects of compressed URLs; next, we are going to talk about how can you mitigate the potential risk associated with a compressed url,
These include several tips that show you how you can safeguard yourself against malicious links and surf freely.
Use URL Preview Tools
Perhaps, the easiest way to shield yourself from dangerous compressed URLs is to rely on using URL preview tools. A lot of URL shortening service providers include the feature allowing users to preview the URL. For instance, according to Bit.ly, users only need to add a plus sign (+) at the end of the compressed URL (for example, https://bit.ly/xyz123+) to show the destination before opening the link. When these previews are employed, you’ll be able to see where the link goes to and whether it’s safe for you to open or not.
Check the Source of the Link
The compressed URL should be viewed very critically, concerning where it is from. If you are receiving a link through any email, text, or message from an unknown source, always use extreme caution. In addition, verify senders’ identities even though a link appears to come from a trusted friend or company. Many times, it’s an innocent person innocently sharing a dangerous link that was forwarded to him or her by a cybercriminal.
Employ the Link Scanner Tools
Another procedure in helping to lessen the threats associated with compressed URLs is employing a link scanner tool. These tools help in scanning the safety of a link, before clicking. For example, sites such as the VirusTotal or Web of Trust (WOT) scan associated compressed URLs and inform you whether a link is safe or harmful. Thus, even if you are uncertain regarding a link, you stand to check it first before anything else just to avoid threats.
Enable Web Protection Features
Today’s web browsers and security software provide features to protect users from malware sites. Make sure the features are turned on. For instance, Google Chrome consists of a feature that alerts users about sites that may be less than trustworthy, phishing sites or that might harbor malware. You are minimizing the chances of clicking on a dangerous compressed URL by keeping these protection features turned on.
Educate Yourself and Others
One of the best ways of preventing risks is to be educated. It is essential to learn how compressed URLs can be dangerous and understand how they can be used maliciously. Encourage others to use URL preview tools, source verification of links, and make people aware to stay careful with clicking unknown compressed URLs.
Use a Trustworthy URL Shortener
Not every URL shortening service is as safe as the other; some are more trusted and reputable than others. It is wise to rely on the popular URL shortening services. For instance, well-known URL shorteners such as Bit.ly, TinyURL, and Google’s URL shortener are reliable sources.
Conclusion
A compressed URL is both convenient and quite risky. All we have to remember is that Cybercriminals can take advantage of it to hide harmful sites, thus making it difficult for the person visiting to identify whether he or she is accessing a good or harmful website. Apart from that, there are very simple measures one can take to keep the risks low. Using preview tools, source verification, scanning links, and keeping protection features on browser systems are some of them.
Thus, as can be seen, one can enjoy the advantages of compressed URLs while still consulting caution about usefulness. Just keep in mind how can you mitigate the potential risk associated with a compressed URL, and browse safely.
