Check shortened links for safety

Source: Five ways to check shortened links for safety

Before you visit a shortened URL, be sure the destination website is secure and appropriate.

Shortening a URL has its utilities, especially if it needs to be typed on the keyboard. However, the short link obscures the final destination which might compromise safety.

Here is a summary of the services explored in the blog are. See original link for more and illustrations.

• Twitter: t.co. Twitter will warn you against potential harm by proofing the short URL for malicious content.
• Bitly: bitly.com. Adding a + sign at the end of the URL will reveal the encoded long URL. The user can then decide to proceed.
• TinyURL. tinyurl.com. Add the word preview before the word “tinyurl”
• CheckShortURL: CheckShortURL supports most of the popular link shortening services. Input a shortened link into their search box, then click the Expand button to reveal the long URL.
• Unshorten.It. Enter the short URL in a box and click “Unshorten.It!” button to reveal the long URL as well as safety rating.