Twitter gets URL checker
Following Twitter malware attacks, Vancouver-based IT consulting firm Pacific Coast Information Systems (PCIS), has rolled out a Tiny URL Checker, a free online security tool to secure social networkers.
PCIF president, Vaclav Vincalek, says: "Even before micro-blogging services such as Twitter achieved their massive popularity among social networkers, hackers were exploiting the Tiny URLs that third-party vendors create.
“Hackers hide links to their malicious sites within these short URLs. If you've used Twitter or other social networks, you've almost certainly come across these suspicious links. If you clicked on the shortened URL expecting breaking news or a cool tip, instead you were rewarded with malware for your computer."
Vincalek adds that users can access the tool via www.pcistools.com. Users will be able to see the Web page's safe browsing information, as well as its WHOIS information, blog search information and social media analysis.
Securing social networking
Phishing scams often spoof legitimate Web sites, or use the actual Web site to manipulate them and link elsewhere.
According to Vincalek, the tool mitigates the risk of cyber crime to make the Internet safer. "Some companies have shut down access to social networks to avoid security risks, but we find that for most companies, such a drastic approach just isn't feasible.
“This allows both individuals and organisations to mitigate risk while enjoying the capabilities of social networks," he adds.
Last month, PCIF rolled out Devfense Cyber Alert, a free service that helps users know which Web sites have been flagged as vulnerable to hackers and may harm Internet surfers' computers or be used to violate their privacy.
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