Bit.ly Inks Malware-Spotting Deals
As popular as link-shortening services are, security experts have been warning users that they put themselves at risk of malware infection by using them, since a suspicious-looking Web address just becomes another Bit.ly or TinyURL link once it’s shortened.
On Monday, Bit.ly announced partnership with several security firms, including Websense (WBSN), Sophos and VeriSign (VRSN), that it said helps to address that.
The three of them will provide malware and spam-detecting services designed to keep fraudulent links from making their way into Bit.ly URLs, which in turn are used extensively on Twitter, email and social-networking sites like Facebook and MySpace.
