Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Is Tinyurl Safe

Manipulate caution when accessing TinyURL links.


At some purpose in your future browsing the internet, you get probably come across a link to a point called "TinyURL" with a series of symbols consequent the realm label. This point is in truth honest a redirect overhaul administer to the typical. Users can booty mesh addresses, called URLs, that are deep or unwieldy, and coin a shortcut using TinyURL. The downside to TinyURL links is that the man receiving the link might not discern where the link is sending them.


Dangerous Sites


Some defective machine users receive avail of TinyURL to distribute links to hairy sites loaded with viruses and other programs that might damage your personal computer. Provided you take an unsolicited TinyURL link from someone you create not perceive, you should avoid clicking on it. It is besides recommended to disregard TinyURL links that seem besides congenial to be correct. For instance, "Click here to gold a for free iPad!" is a long-running scam that sends you to websites designed to steal your ego.


Fortunately, there is a way to prevent accessing an unwanted URL when presented with a TinyURL link. Go to tinyurl.com and click the link on the front page labeled "Click here to enable previews." This simple fix tells TinyURL to not automatically redirect you to a TinyURL destination page. Instead, you are sent to a simple preview page that tells you the exact URL you have been sent to by the abbreviated TinyURL.


Unfortunately, opening such a link at work or some other place where adult material is deemed inappropriate could cause serious consequences. For safety, avoid TinyURL links while browsing at work, unless the sender tells you exactly where the abbreviated URL link to and the sender is a person you trust.


Pranks


The infamous "Rick Roll" prank started by taking advantage of YouTube's tendency to obfuscate video URLs much in the same way that TinyURL does. Users would send YouTube links professing to be some amazing or funny video, but instead they would link to a video of Rick Astley's song "Never Gonna Give You Up." Now that most web-savvy users have caught on to being "Rick Rolled," enterprising pranksters can further hide their intentions using TinyURL addresses. Fortunately, such pranks are usually harmless, but you might want to lower your volume before clicking a TinyURL link just in case.


Prevention


Inappropriate Sites

Usually, pc users offering links to subject sites or other URLs they hunger to duck practice TinyURL to obscure the true nature of the link. These users might innocently send you a link, thinking you would appreciate it. From here, you can choose to either click the real link or simply close the window if the content appears to be inappropriate or dangerous.