Often, Internet users do not trust short links and do not even click on them. And such actions are justified. There are many cases in practice when scammers use shortened links to deceive on the Internet. What is the connection between phishing and shortened links?
Fraudsters can use short links to deceive users and steal their personal data. By shortening the initial URL, they disguise the link to a fraudulent site, thus without any suspicion the user goes to a phishing site. The shortened link hides the real address of the site, so the user cannot immediately check its safety.
Often, such links are distributed through popular social networks, where there is no way to check the link to the real site. Links can lead to fake pages of banks, support services, stores or other social networks that are visually similar to the real ones. When the user enters their login, password, bank details or other confidential information, they fall into the hands of scammers. In such cases, not only personal data, but also funds in bank accounts are often stolen. Therefore, you should always be careful when clicking on a shortened link and be sure to check the authenticity of the final link. Did you really go to the right site, or is it a scam site?
To protect against phishing, use safe and proven antivirus programs many modern antivirus software and browsers block dangerous links, even if you have already opened them on your device. Always check the address in the browser before entering your username and password. If there is even the slightest doubt about the site, do not enter your data. If you are promised big winnings or require urgent action right here and now, this is most likely a scam. Therefore, you should not open such links, and even more so, you should not enter your personal data. If you have already entered your password and then realized that the site is phishing, then immediately change your password on the official site and activate 2FA. You can also additionally inform the support service of the official service about the operation of a phishing site, specialists will do everything to ensure that such a site stops working in the near future.
As we can see, short links are not always safe. Fraudsters can use them for the purpose of fraud and illegal enrichment. If the shortened link has caused you even the slightest doubt, in no case, do not tear it off.