No longer content to stick to email, spammers are now abusing Twitter and spreading malicious links by disguising them behind tiny URLs, according to one internet security firm.
Lloyd Borrett, marketing manager at internet security company AVG (AU/NZ), said even experienced internet users could be fooled by seemingly harmless links.
"To some people small or tiny URL links look more legitimate than longer links.
"The bad guys now know they'll get more click-throughs if they use small URL links."
Tiny URLs are used to compress long web addresses into 25-character URLs to save space.
Mr Borrett said he had seen a significant increase in the number of spammers using tiny URL links to "poisoned" websites in the past month.
Netsafe executive director Martin Cocker said the problem with such URLs was that it was impossible to tell where they pointed to.
"It's not possible to always trust something that purports to be from a friend," he said.
He said the safest thing for internet users was to simply not click on links but acknowledged that was an unrealistic expectation.
He advised people to ensure their security settings were up to date and install antivirus, antispyware and firewalls to protect their computers.
Mr Cocker said people often lowered their guard on social networking sites as they felt they were safely communicating with friends.
"It's the additional feeling of trust... that makes them such an ideal environment for spammers."
- NZ HERALD STAFF
Tiny URLs turn Twitter into spam target
Spammers are using Tiny URLs to target users of micro-blogging site Twitter. Photo / Paul Estcourt
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