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5 Reasons You Should Stop Shortening URLs

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batoolabbas
(@batoolabbas)
Posts: 1693
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Topic starter
 

Shortening URLs can have serious privacy consequences. Since shortened URLs are so short, they encounter "brute-force scanning," meaning that attackers can guess multiple shortened URLs and read all of the working ones. 

Short URLs reveal addresses and identities of users who shared directions to medical facilities, prisons and juvenile detention centers, and other sensitive locations. They allow inference of social ties between people and leak other sensitive private information. 

People use legitimate-looking shortened URLs, and lure users into scammy or spammy pages, or even sites containing malware. Some URL shorteners allow the user to log in to the target's IP address, even if the reader isn't visiting their site. 

Some URLs direct the user to sites they don't even want to visit. This may make them less likely to click through in the future. 

Sometimes shortened URLs are reported as spam, leading URL shortener sites to disable them. They either stop working or wind up on spam blocklists.

You can use tools like WhoSharedMyLink, and other analytics options available for websites, analyzing data from URL shorteners is probably unnecessary.

 
Posted : 03/07/2021 4:51 pm
tariqadams and Connect reacted
JayDollar
(@jaydollar)
Posts: 1885
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Wow

Thanks Batoolabbas I truly appreciate you for post this Valuable info on the downsides of shortening links.

 
Posted : 05/07/2021 3:36 pm
batoolabbas
(@batoolabbas)
Posts: 1693
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Topic starter
 
Posted by: @jaydollar

Wow

Thanks Batoolabbas I truly appreciate you for post this Valuable info on the downsides of shortening links.

You’re welcome brother. 

 
Posted : 06/07/2021 1:30 am
Muhammad aown
(@muhammad-aown)
Posts: 6735
Member Customer
 

You meant that short URLs show ip address and other such information, no they are just random strings generated. And also cases which you explained happens very rarely. Like bit.ly has hundreds of millions of traffic to their website, so do all of those people visiting get attacked no, not even one percent its even lower than that.

 

 
Posted : 07/07/2021 1:21 pm
Muhammad aown
(@muhammad-aown)
Posts: 6735
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@jaydollar but upsides of URL shortener are way better than downsides, it gives you information which even google analytics can't give because google only analysis websites not links, while links are a crucial part.

 
Posted : 07/07/2021 1:23 pm
preetchovatiya
(@preetchovatiya)
Posts: 797
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Posted by: @batoolabbas

Shortening URLs can have serious privacy consequences. Since shortened URLs are so short, they encounter "brute-force scanning," meaning that attackers can guess multiple shortened URLs and read all of the working ones. 

 

Short URLs reveal addresses and identities of users who shared directions to medical facilities, prisons and juvenile detention centers, and other sensitive locations. They allow inference of social ties between people and leak other sensitive private information. 

People use legitimate-looking shortened URLs, and lure users into scammy or spammy pages, or even sites containing malware. Some URL shorteners allow the user to log in to the target's IP address, even if the reader isn't visiting their site. 

Some URLs direct the user to sites they don't even want to visit. This may make them less likely to click through in the future. 

Sometimes shortened URLs are reported as spam, leading URL shortener sites to disable them. They either stop working or wind up on spam blocklists.

You can use tools like WhoSharedMyLink, and other analytics options available for websites, analyzing data from URL shorteners is probably unnecessary.

Thanks a lot for your valuable post on shortening URLs. This will aware people surely.

 
Posted : 07/07/2021 2:46 pm
batoolabbas
(@batoolabbas)
Posts: 1693
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Topic starter
 
Posted by: @muhammad-aown

You meant that short URLs show ip address and other such information, no they are just random strings generated. And also cases which you explained happens very rarely. Like bit.ly has hundreds of millions of traffic to their website, so do all of those people visiting get attacked no, not even one percent its even lower than that.

 

These cases don’t occur all the time but it’s better to know the disadvantages as well 

 
Posted : 08/07/2021 11:52 pm
batoolabbas
(@batoolabbas)
Posts: 1693
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Topic starter
 
Posted by: @preetchovatiya
Posted by: @batoolabbas

Shortening URLs can have serious privacy consequences. Since shortened URLs are so short, they encounter "brute-force scanning," meaning that attackers can guess multiple shortened URLs and read all of the working ones. 

 

Short URLs reveal addresses and identities of users who shared directions to medical facilities, prisons and juvenile detention centers, and other sensitive locations. They allow inference of social ties between people and leak other sensitive private information. 

People use legitimate-looking shortened URLs, and lure users into scammy or spammy pages, or even sites containing malware. Some URL shorteners allow the user to log in to the target's IP address, even if the reader isn't visiting their site. 

Some URLs direct the user to sites they don't even want to visit. This may make them less likely to click through in the future. 

Sometimes shortened URLs are reported as spam, leading URL shortener sites to disable them. They either stop working or wind up on spam blocklists.

You can use tools like WhoSharedMyLink, and other analytics options available for websites, analyzing data from URL shorteners is probably unnecessary.

Thanks a lot for your valuable post on shortening URLs. This will aware people surely.

You’re welcome!

 
Posted : 08/07/2021 11:53 pm
JayDollar
(@jaydollar)
Posts: 1885
Member Customer
 
Posted by: @batoolabbas

Shortening URLs can have serious privacy consequences. Since shortened URLs are so short, they encounter "brute-force scanning," meaning that attackers can guess multiple shortened URLs and read all of the working ones. 

 

Short URLs reveal addresses and identities of users who shared directions to medical facilities, prisons and juvenile detention centers, and other sensitive locations. They allow inference of social ties between people and leak other sensitive private information. 

People use legitimate-looking shortened URLs, and lure users into scammy or spammy pages, or even sites containing malware. Some URL shorteners allow the user to log in to the target's IP address, even if the reader isn't visiting their site. 

Some URLs direct the user to sites they don't even want to visit. This may make them less likely to click through in the future. 

Sometimes shortened URLs are reported as spam, leading URL shortener sites to disable them. They either stop working or wind up on spam blocklists.

You can use tools like WhoSharedMyLink, and other analytics options available for websites, analyzing data from URL shorteners is probably unnecessary.

I absolutely agree with you friend I rather use WhoSharedMyLink.

 
Posted : 17/07/2021 6:11 am
ifmindzero
(@ifmindzero)
Posts: 132
Member Customer
 
Posted by: @batoolabbas

Shortening URLs can have serious privacy consequences. Since shortened URLs are so short, they encounter "brute-force scanning," meaning that attackers can guess multiple shortened URLs and read all of the working ones. 

 

Short URLs reveal addresses and identities of users who shared directions to medical facilities, prisons and juvenile detention centers, and other sensitive locations. They allow inference of social ties between people and leak other sensitive private information. 

People use legitimate-looking shortened URLs, and lure users into scammy or spammy pages, or even sites containing malware. Some URL shorteners allow the user to log in to the target's IP address, even if the reader isn't visiting their site. 

Some URLs direct the user to sites they don't even want to visit. This may make them less likely to click through in the future. 

Sometimes shortened URLs are reported as spam, leading URL shortener sites to disable them. They either stop working or wind up on spam blocklists.

You can use tools like WhoSharedMyLink, and other analytics options available for websites, analyzing data from URL shorteners is probably unnecessary.

You're right, it happens to me many times. Need to be avoid.

 
Posted : 23/07/2021 3:25 am
batoolabbas reacted
Muhammad aown
(@muhammad-aown)
Posts: 6735
Member Customer
 
Posted by: @jaydollar
Posted by: @batoolabbas

Shortening URLs can have serious privacy consequences. Since shortened URLs are so short, they encounter "brute-force scanning," meaning that attackers can guess multiple shortened URLs and read all of the working ones. 

 

Short URLs reveal addresses and identities of users who shared directions to medical facilities, prisons and juvenile detention centers, and other sensitive locations. They allow inference of social ties between people and leak other sensitive private information. 

People use legitimate-looking shortened URLs, and lure users into scammy or spammy pages, or even sites containing malware. Some URL shorteners allow the user to log in to the target's IP address, even if the reader isn't visiting their site. 

Some URLs direct the user to sites they don't even want to visit. This may make them less likely to click through in the future. 

Sometimes shortened URLs are reported as spam, leading URL shortener sites to disable them. They either stop working or wind up on spam blocklists.

You can use tools like WhoSharedMyLink, and other analytics options available for websites, analyzing data from URL shorteners is probably unnecessary.

I absolutely agree with you friend I rather use WhoSharedMyLink.

What does this tool do, does it also shorten links?

 
Posted : 24/07/2021 12:28 pm
batoolabbas
(@batoolabbas)
Posts: 1693
Member Customer
Topic starter
 
Posted by: @muhammad-aown
Posted by: @jaydollar
Posted by: @batoolabbas

Shortening URLs can have serious privacy consequences. Since shortened URLs are so short, they encounter "brute-force scanning," meaning that attackers can guess multiple shortened URLs and read all of the working ones. 

 

Short URLs reveal addresses and identities of users who shared directions to medical facilities, prisons and juvenile detention centers, and other sensitive locations. They allow inference of social ties between people and leak other sensitive private information. 

People use legitimate-looking shortened URLs, and lure users into scammy or spammy pages, or even sites containing malware. Some URL shorteners allow the user to log in to the target's IP address, even if the reader isn't visiting their site. 

Some URLs direct the user to sites they don't even want to visit. This may make them less likely to click through in the future. 

Sometimes shortened URLs are reported as spam, leading URL shortener sites to disable them. They either stop working or wind up on spam blocklists.

You can use tools like WhoSharedMyLink, and other analytics options available for websites, analyzing data from URL shorteners is probably unnecessary.

I absolutely agree with you friend I rather use WhoSharedMyLink.

What does this tool do, does it also shorten links?

It shows how many times the link was opened or used by people 

 
Posted : 25/07/2021 10:19 am
Muhammad aown
(@muhammad-aown)
Posts: 6735
Member Customer
 
Posted by: @batoolabbas
Posted by: @muhammad-aown
Posted by: @jaydollar
Posted by: @batoolabbas

Shortening URLs can have serious privacy consequences. Since shortened URLs are so short, they encounter "brute-force scanning," meaning that attackers can guess multiple shortened URLs and read all of the working ones. 

 

Short URLs reveal addresses and identities of users who shared directions to medical facilities, prisons and juvenile detention centers, and other sensitive locations. They allow inference of social ties between people and leak other sensitive private information. 

People use legitimate-looking shortened URLs, and lure users into scammy or spammy pages, or even sites containing malware. Some URL shorteners allow the user to log in to the target's IP address, even if the reader isn't visiting their site. 

Some URLs direct the user to sites they don't even want to visit. This may make them less likely to click through in the future. 

Sometimes shortened URLs are reported as spam, leading URL shortener sites to disable them. They either stop working or wind up on spam blocklists.

You can use tools like WhoSharedMyLink, and other analytics options available for websites, analyzing data from URL shorteners is probably unnecessary.

I absolutely agree with you friend I rather use WhoSharedMyLink.

What does this tool do, does it also shorten links?

It shows how many times the link was opened or used by people 

So it has the same features as bitly or l-ink.me

 
Posted : 25/07/2021 4:17 pm
batoolabbas
(@batoolabbas)
Posts: 1693
Member Customer
Topic starter
 
Posted by: @muhammad-aown
Posted by: @batoolabbas
Posted by: @muhammad-aown
Posted by: @jaydollar
Posted by: @batoolabbas

Shortening URLs can have serious privacy consequences. Since shortened URLs are so short, they encounter "brute-force scanning," meaning that attackers can guess multiple shortened URLs and read all of the working ones. 

 

Short URLs reveal addresses and identities of users who shared directions to medical facilities, prisons and juvenile detention centers, and other sensitive locations. They allow inference of social ties between people and leak other sensitive private information. 

People use legitimate-looking shortened URLs, and lure users into scammy or spammy pages, or even sites containing malware. Some URL shorteners allow the user to log in to the target's IP address, even if the reader isn't visiting their site. 

Some URLs direct the user to sites they don't even want to visit. This may make them less likely to click through in the future. 

Sometimes shortened URLs are reported as spam, leading URL shortener sites to disable them. They either stop working or wind up on spam blocklists.

You can use tools like WhoSharedMyLink, and other analytics options available for websites, analyzing data from URL shorteners is probably unnecessary.

I absolutely agree with you friend I rather use WhoSharedMyLink.

What does this tool do, does it also shorten links?

It shows how many times the link was opened or used by people 

So it has the same features as bitly or l-ink.me

Yes they are of the same kind. 

 
Posted : 27/07/2021 6:16 pm
Muhammad aown
(@muhammad-aown)
Posts: 6735
Member Customer
 
Posted by: @batoolabbas
Posted by: @muhammad-aown
Posted by: @batoolabbas
Posted by: @muhammad-aown
Posted by: @jaydollar
Posted by: @batoolabbas

Shortening URLs can have serious privacy consequences. Since shortened URLs are so short, they encounter "brute-force scanning," meaning that attackers can guess multiple shortened URLs and read all of the working ones. 

 

Short URLs reveal addresses and identities of users who shared directions to medical facilities, prisons and juvenile detention centers, and other sensitive locations. They allow inference of social ties between people and leak other sensitive private information. 

People use legitimate-looking shortened URLs, and lure users into scammy or spammy pages, or even sites containing malware. Some URL shorteners allow the user to log in to the target's IP address, even if the reader isn't visiting their site. 

Some URLs direct the user to sites they don't even want to visit. This may make them less likely to click through in the future. 

Sometimes shortened URLs are reported as spam, leading URL shortener sites to disable them. They either stop working or wind up on spam blocklists.

You can use tools like WhoSharedMyLink, and other analytics options available for websites, analyzing data from URL shorteners is probably unnecessary.

I absolutely agree with you friend I rather use WhoSharedMyLink.

What does this tool do, does it also shorten links?

It shows how many times the link was opened or used by people 

So it has the same features as bitly or l-ink.me

Yes they are of the same kind. 

I-url.me also has same features and it is free also unlike l-ink.me and Bitly.

 
Posted : 31/07/2021 6:37 am
Retro Canvas
(@retrocanvas)
Posts: 3167
Member Customer
 
Posted by: @batoolabbas

Shortening URLs can have serious privacy consequences. Since shortened URLs are so short, they encounter "brute-force scanning," meaning that attackers can guess multiple shortened URLs and read all of the working ones. 

 

Short URLs reveal addresses and identities of users who shared directions to medical facilities, prisons and juvenile detention centers, and other sensitive locations. They allow inference of social ties between people and leak other sensitive private information. 

People use legitimate-looking shortened URLs, and lure users into scammy or spammy pages, or even sites containing malware. Some URL shorteners allow the user to log in to the target's IP address, even if the reader isn't visiting their site. 

Some URLs direct the user to sites they don't even want to visit. This may make them less likely to click through in the future. 

Sometimes shortened URLs are reported as spam, leading URL shortener sites to disable them. They either stop working or wind up on spam blocklists.

You can use tools like WhoSharedMyLink, and other analytics options available for websites, analyzing data from URL shorteners is probably unnecessary.

This is one of the reasons i’m wary of shortened links

 
Posted : 15/08/2021 10:47 pm
Retro Canvas
(@retrocanvas)
Posts: 3167
Member Customer
 
Posted by: @batoolabbas

Shortening URLs can have serious privacy consequences. Since shortened URLs are so short, they encounter "brute-force scanning," meaning that attackers can guess multiple shortened URLs and read all of the working ones. 

 

Short URLs reveal addresses and identities of users who shared directions to medical facilities, prisons and juvenile detention centers, and other sensitive locations. They allow inference of social ties between people and leak other sensitive private information. 

People use legitimate-looking shortened URLs, and lure users into scammy or spammy pages, or even sites containing malware. Some URL shorteners allow the user to log in to the target's IP address, even if the reader isn't visiting their site. 

Some URLs direct the user to sites they don't even want to visit. This may make them less likely to click through in the future. 

Sometimes shortened URLs are reported as spam, leading URL shortener sites to disable them. They either stop working or wind up on spam blocklists.

You can use tools like WhoSharedMyLink, and other analytics options available for websites, analyzing data from URL shorteners is probably unnecessary.

Many are just traps employed by hackers

 
Posted : 15/08/2021 10:48 pm
Waleed Shafiq
(@waleedshafiq99)
Posts: 7625
Member Customer
 
Posted by: @jaydollar

Wow

Thanks Batoolabbas I truly appreciate you for post this Valuable info on the downsides of shortening links.

Do you know the upsides of shortening URLs? If Yes, kindly share.

 
Posted : 26/08/2021 5:55 pm
Waleed Shafiq
(@waleedshafiq99)
Posts: 7625
Member Customer
 
Posted by: @muhammad-aown

You meant that short URLs show ip address and other such information, no they are just random strings generated. And also cases which you explained happens very rarely. Like bit.ly has hundreds of millions of traffic to their website, so do all of those people visiting get attacked no, not even one percent its even lower than that.

 

Yes, you are right. Not everyone gets attacked or it's impossible to lure everyone into the trap.

 
Posted : 26/08/2021 5:58 pm
Waleed Shafiq
(@waleedshafiq99)
Posts: 7625
Member Customer
 
Posted by: @muhammad-aown

@jaydollar but upsides of URL shortener are way better than downsides, it gives you information which even google analytics can't give because google only analysis websites not links, while links are a crucial part.

Yes, you can easily find out that from where the visitors are coming from. And at what time. So that you can create a retargeting campaign according to data.

 
Posted : 26/08/2021 6:00 pm
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