With news of phishing attacks through Google Talk and Adobe Reader vulnerability even pdf files may no longer be safe. The rise in instant messaging services like Twitter and GTalk have also seen the rise in short obfuscating URL services, the most famous one probably being TinyURL. Indeed, Twitter automatically changes any URL into a tinyurl. So,how can you tell which clicks are safe and which aren't.

Well, TinyURL have a fairly new Preview feature that at least makes clicking a two-step process. The TinyURL Preview means that you get a chance to see where the target URL actually is. This doesn't mean you can verify whether it is safe or not but at least makes you think twice about it. If you don't like the look of it, don't go there!

By switching on the TinyURL Preview feature you must have cookies enabled in your browser. Once you have enabled the feature and the cookie has loaded, then any time you click on a TinyURL you will automatically be taken to the preview page to decide whether to proceed or not.

A small security step but every little helps.

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