This was originally designed to make long URLs (website links) more manageable when typing or more easily transmitted in mediums where character limits exist (e.g. SMS messaging). However, URL shortening is also used by social engineers to hide malicious website addresses because it makes links more difficult for users to analyse. Some shortened URLs can be linked to a download site where a malicious .ZIP file (containing ransomware or some other nasty) is downloaded upon clicking. For example, goo.gl/x1ebN3 leads to google.com.

This was originally designed to make long URLs (website links) more manageable when typing or more easily transmitted in mediums where character limits exist (e.g. SMS messaging). However, URL shortening is also used by social engineers to hide malicious website addresses because it makes links more difficult for users to analyse. Some shortened URLs can be linked to a download site where a malicious .ZIP file (containing ransomware or some other nasty) is downloaded upon clicking. For example, goo.gl/x1ebN3 leads to google.com.