Curse

Junato · Feb 03, 2011, 04:07 PM // 16:07

Hello Everyone,

So I get some emails that start off with bit.ly from people that I barely talk to. I am suspocious with these emails and I was wondering if there is harm that can be done from these links.

I am hoping for an informative response about bit.ly and what is their purpose for existing?

Kosar The Cruel · Feb 03, 2011, 04:11 PM // 16:11

I've gotten a bunch of e-mails like this from people I know. It's some sort of e-mail spam(virus?) going around. Just delete the e-mail. I have yet to click on any of the links provided in one of these e-mails, but I can only assume that you'll start sending out spam e-mails without you realizing it.

Cuilan · Feb 03, 2011, 04:58 PM // 16:58

There's no point in using that site for emails, so don't click those. That url is used to make urls short enough for pinging in Guild Wars and Twitter.

Chthon · Feb 03, 2011, 06:16 PM // 18:16

Like Cuilan said, the purpose of bit.ly is to map longer urls into short urls that fit into tweets, text messages, etc.

The danger is that you have absolutely no idea where the link goes until you click it. Could be a rickroll; could be a site with malicious scripts; could be a phishing site; you never know.

Bottom line: Unless you're running firefox+adblock+noscript or chrome+equivalent (or lynx!) I wouldn't even think of clicking on it.

bsoltan · Feb 03, 2011, 06:18 PM // 18:18

http://bit.ly/

Quote:

Originally Posted by bit.ly

bit.ly allows users to shorten, share, and track links (URLs). Reducing the URL length makes sharing easier. bit.ly can be accessed through our website, bookmarklets and a robust and open API. bit.ly is also integrated into several popular third-party tools such as Tweetdeck. A more full list of third party tools can be found on the bit.ly blog. Unique user-level and aggregate links are created, allowing users to view complete, real-time traffic and referrer data, as well as location and metadata. Tracking stats are available after users shorten their long links with bit.ly by clicking on the “Info+” link on bit.ly, or just adding a “+” sign to the end of any bit.ly link (for example, http://bit.ly/n0og+).

bit.ly is quite a legitimate site and is used regularly to shortern URLs.

The problem isn't with bit.ly, it is with the people sending you the links. It is possible their machines have been infected or email accounts compromised or just simply spoofed and they are sending out spam to the address book.

The urls themselves are not harmful however clicking on them could take you to a harmful webpage. What you'll probably find is they will just take you to website full of ads and trying to sell you pills and stuff.

Hope that helps.